For students to learn, analyze and present the jurisprudence on the following topics: hate speech, prior restraint, time/place/manner restrictions, heckler's veto, and content neutral versus based regulations.
For students to also understand the roles and incentives of individuals and institutions in a free speech controversy, including: activists, elected officials, state versus federal judges, and the media.
For students to gain experience publicly presenting complex and controversial ideas to an audience, especially for issues and ideas for which they personally disagree
Students will read relevant articles and watch films to understand their group’s role in the conflict. They will use these materials, their own research and collaborative group work to develop a 15 minute presentation for the rest of the class to illuminate the relevant issues and bring their aspect of the case to life. Groups will be 2-5 students depending on class size.
Group Roles:
Frank Collin and National Socialist Party of America - What is the background and strategy of Frank Collin and NPSA?
Martin Luther King Jr. Movement and the black protesters who clashed with the NPSA in Chicago before and after Skokie. Explain the black experience with the NPSA and city officials.
Village of Skokie Counsel (Part 1)- Seeking an Injunction - Explain the concepts of hate speech and imminent lawless action in the context of this case.
Chicago ACLU (Part 1) - Opposing the Injunction - Explain the concepts of Prior Restraint and Heckler's Veto in the context of this case.
State Court (Judge Wasik) -- Present his initial decision and role of elected judges
Skokie Holocaust Survivors' Menticide case. Explain the basis of the argument and claims.
Village of Skokie (Part 2) - Seeking Insurance as well as Time, Place & Manner restrictions. Outline their efforts and relevant law.
Chicago ACLU (Part 2) - Opposing the Villiage's requirements. Explain the legality of content based regulations
Fed Courts/Supreme Court - Explain the courts' decisions.
National ACLU - What impact did the Skokie case have on the organizaiton in terms of membership and their legal strategy?
Local and National Media - How and why did the media cover the march and case?
Life After Skokie - What is the legacy of the case?
Some films and articles have been collected for students. Students are encouraged to conduct their own research and find whatever resources and evidence they will need to best present their group's perspective.