Davis v. Massachusetts
United States Supreme Court
167 U.S. 43 (1897)
Relevant factsFree
Boston adopted an ordinance requiring a mayoral permit before anyone could deliver a public address on city-owned property; Davis (defendant), a preacher who regularly spoke to crowds on the Boston Common without a permit, was convicted of violating the ordinance and appealed to the Massachusetts Supreme Court.
IssueFree
Whether, under the First Amendment, the government may limit speech on government-owned property through its basic property rights.