The Oyez Project Virtual Tour of the Supreme Court Building

Abstract

Oral Argument: Wednesday, October 11, 1944
Decision: Monday, January 8, 1945

Advocates

Not available

Facts of the Case

A Texas law required union officials to obtain an organizer's card before soliciting possible members. A judge convicted a labor organizer of contempt for speaking at a union rally without a permit.

Question

Does the Texas law requiring labor organizers to secure permission to solicit members violate the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment?

Conclusion

Yes, the law was unconstitutional. It interfered with freedom of speech and freedom of assembly which possesses "a sanctity and a sanction not permitting dubious intrusions."

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Cite this page

The Oyez Project, Thomas v. Collins, 323 U.S. 516 (1945),
available at: <http://www.oyez.org/cases/1940-1949/1944/1944_14/>
(last visited ).