Question

In a public park in Sweet Home, Oregon, a group of college students staged a peaceful demonstration against the Iraq War. The protest included the singing of peaceful songs, the display of banners condemning the acts of the U.S. government, and finally the use of several "barrels of oil" that were really large containers filled with colored water. A city ordinance stated that large groups must have a permit to gather in the park in question, and that all gatherings must cease by 11:30 p.m. The students chanted and marched all day on January 20, 2004, and continued until 11:30 that night, when local police told them they had to vacate the area. Then, around midnight, the leader of the group, Lee Segal, stood on a podium and shouted "U.S., we condemn you for a war that is only meant to save your precious oilwe spit on your efforts!" At that instant he pushed over five "barrels of oil" and shouted, "we do not need oil if it is going to kill our brothers and sisters!" The police arrested Segal and several others for their actions. They were charged with violating the terms of their permit because they had remained after 11:30, even though they were warned to leave. They were also charged with destruction of public property because the dye used to color the water in the symbolic barrels destroyed several trees, the grass, a park bench, and two picnic tables. Segal claimed his First Amendment rights were violated, and the ACLU took his case all the way to the Supreme Court.
If you were a justice on the Court, how would you rule in this case?

Answer


*A. Varies