Coates v. City of Cincinnati

402 U.S. 611 (1971)

COATES ET AL.

v.

CITY OF CINCINNATI.

No. 117.

Supreme Court of United States.

Argued January 11, 1971

Decided June 1, 1971

APPEAL FROM THE SUPREME COURT OF OHIO.

Robert R. Lavercombe argued the cause and filed a brief for appellants.

A. David Nichols argued the cause for appellee. With him on the brief was William A. McClain.

A Cincinnati, Ohio, ordinance makes it a criminal offense for "three or more persons to assemble . . . on any of the sidewalks . . . and there conduct themselves in a manner annoying to persons passing by . . . ."[1] The issue before us is whether this ordinance…