City of Columbus v. Robert Leonard

Mr. Justice Rehnquist, with whom The Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Blackmun join,

dissenting.

Respondents were dismissed from their positions with the Columbus Police Department on May 31,1971, for deliberately removing the American flag emblem from their uniforms during a public demonstration. Four days later, respondents requested hearings before the Police Hearing Board, a state-created board to which officers could appeal their discharges. Counsel for respondents informed city officials that respondents “are anxious to have a hearing on these matters and request that all efforts be made to…