pleasant grove city utah et al summum argued november decided february pioneer park park public park petitioner pleasant grove city city least permanent privately donated displays including ten commandments monument rejecting request respondent summum religious organization erect monument containing seven aphorisms summum city explained limited park monuments either directly related city history donated groups longstanding community ties city put policy criteria writing respondent renewed request describe monument historical significance respondent connection community city rejected request respondent filed suit claiming city petitioner officials violated first amendment free speech clause accepting ten commandments monument rejecting respondent proposed monument district denied respondent preliminary injunction request tenth circuit reversed noting previously found ten commandments monument private rather government speech public parks traditionally regarded public forums held exclusion monument unlikely survive strict scrutiny city required erect immediately held placement permanent monument public park form government speech therefore subject scrutiny free speech clause pp clause restricts government regulation private speech government speech whether petitioners engaging expressive conduct providing forum private speech determines precedents govern pp government entity entitled say wishes rosenberger rector visitors univ select views wants express see rust sullivan may exercise freedom receives private assistance purpose delivering message see johanns livestock marketing mean restraints government speech example government speech must comport establishment clause addition public officials involvement advocacy may limited law regulation practice government entity ultimately accountable electorate political process advocacy board regents univ system southworth pp contrast government entities strictly limited ability regulate private speech traditional public fora cornelius naacp legal defense ed fund reasonable time place manner restrictions allowed see perry ed assn perry local educators restrictions must satisfy strict scrutiny must narrowly tailored serve compelling government interest see cornelius supra restrictions based viewpoint also prohibited carey brown government restrictions speech designated public forum subject strict scrutiny restrictions traditional public forum cornelius supra government creates forum limited use certain groups dedicated discussion certain subjects perry ed supra may impose reasonable restrictions see good news club milford central school pp permanent monuments displayed public property typically represent government speech governments long used monuments speak public thus monument placed public land constitutes government speech privately financed donated monuments government accepts public display government land government entities regularly accept privately funded donated monuments general practice one selective receptivity city parks play important role defining identity city projects residents outside world cities take care accepting donated monuments selecting portray government decisionmakers view appropriate place question based esthetics history local culture accepted monuments meant convey effect conveying government message thus constitute government speech pp park monuments clearly represent government speech although many donated completed form private entities city effectively controlled messages exercising final approval authority selection johanns supra city selected monuments present image city wishes project park visitors taken ownership monuments park including ten commandments monument expressly set selection criteria respondent legitimate concern government speech doctrine used subterfuge favoring certain viewpoints mean government entity required embrace publicly privately donated monument message order escape free speech clause restrictions city engages expressive conduct accepting displaying privately donated monument necessarily endorse specific meaning particular donor sees monument government message may altered subsequent addition monuments vicinity may also change time pp ublic forum principles place context case american library forum doctrine applies government property program capable accommodating large number public speakers without defeating essential function land program public parks accommodate limited number permanent monuments governments must maintain viewpoint neutrality selecting donated monuments must either prepare cluttered parks face pressure remove longstanding cherished monuments public parks considered traditional public forums purpose erecting privately donated monuments parks little choice refuse donations forum analysis lead almost inexorably closing forum forum analysis place capitol square review advisory bd pinette distinguished pp reversed alito delivered opinion roberts stevens scalia kennedy thomas ginsburg breyer joined stevens filed concurring opinion ginsburg joined scalia filed concurring opinion thomas joined breyer filed concurring opinion souter filed opinion concurring judgment pleasant grove city utah et petitioners summum writ certiorari appeals tenth circuit february justice alito delivered opinion case presents question whether free speech clause first amendment entitles private group insist municipality permit place permanent monument city park donated monuments previously erected appeals held municipality required accept monument public park traditional public forum conclude however although park traditional public forum speeches transitory expressive acts display permanent monument public park form expression forum analysis applies instead placement permanent monument public park best viewed form government speech therefore subject scrutiny free speech clause pioneer park park acre public park located historic district pleasant grove city city utah park currently contains permanent displays least donated private groups individuals include historic granary wishing well city first fire station september monument ten commandments monument donated fraternal order eagles respondent summum religious organization founded headquartered salt lake city utah two separate occasions summum president wrote letter city mayor requesting permission erect stone monument contain seven aphorisms summum similar size nature ten commandments monument app city denied requests explained practice limit monuments park either directly relate history pleasant grove donated groups longstanding ties pleasant grove community following year city passed resolution putting policy writing resolution also mentioned criteria safety esthetics may respondent president wrote mayor asking erect monument letter describe monument historical significance summum connection community city council rejected request respondent filed action city various local officials petitioners asserting among claims petitioners violated free speech clause first amendment accepting ten commandments monument rejecting proposed seven aphorisms monument respondent sought preliminary injunction directing city permit summum erect monument pioneer park district denied summum preliminary injunction request wl utah respondent appealed pressing solely free speech claim panel tenth circuit reversed panel noted previously found ten commandments monument private rather government speech see summum ogden noting public parks traditionally regarded public forums panel held city reject seven aphorisms monument unless compelling justification served narrowly tailored means see panel concluded exclusion respondent monument unlikely survive strict scrutiny panel therefore held city required erect summum monument immediately tenth circuit denied city petition rehearing en banc equally divided vote judge lucero dissented arguing park traditional public forum purpose displaying monuments judge mcconnell also dissented contending monuments park constitute government speech granted certiorari reverse ii prior decision addressed application free speech clause government entity acceptance privately donated permanent monuments installation public park parties disagree sharply line precedents governs situation petitioners contend pertinent cases concerning government speech respondent hand agrees appeals panel applicable cases analyze private speech public forum parties fundamental disagreement thus centers nature petitioners conduct permitted privately donated monuments erected pioneer park petitioners engaging expressive conduct providing forum private speech petitioners engaging expressive conduct free speech clause application free speech clause restricts government regulation private speech regulate government speech see johanns livestock marketing government speech exempt first amendment scrutiny columbia broadcasting system democratic national committee stewart concurring government restrained first amendment controlling expression government entity right speak board regents univ system southworth entitled say wishes rosenberger rector visitors univ select views wants express see rust sullivan national endowment arts finley scalia concurring judgment business government favor disfavor points view indeed easy imagine government function lacked freedom every citizen right insist one paid public funds express view disagreed debate issues great concern public limited private sector process government know radically transformed keller state bar see also johanns souter dissenting govern government say something first amendment heckler veto forced contribution raising government voice ideas question omitted government entity may exercise freedom express views receives assistance private sources purpose delivering message see opinion government controls message precluded relying doctrine merely solicits assistance nongovernmental sources rosenberger supra government entity may regulate content expressed enlists private entities convey message mean restraints government speech example government speech must comport establishment clause involvement public officials advocacy may limited law regulation practice course government entity ultimately accountable electorate political process advocacy southworth citizenry objects newly elected officials later espouse different contrary position ibid government speech restricted free speech clause government free hand regulate private speech government property long ago recognized members public retain strong free speech rights venture public streets parks immemorially held trust use public time mind used purposes assembly communicating thoughts citizens discussing public questions perry ed assn perry local educators quoting hague committee industrial organization opinion roberts order preserve freedom government entities strictly limited ability regulate private speech traditional public fora cornelius naacp legal defense ed fund reasonable time place manner restrictions allowed see perry ed supra restriction based content speech must satisfy strict scrutiny restriction must narrowly tailored serve compelling government interest see cornelius supra restrictions based viewpoint prohibited see carey brown concept traditional public forum starting point recognized members public free speech rights types government property certain government programs share essential attributes traditional public forum held government entity may create designated public forum government property traditionally regarded public forum intentionally opened purpose see cornelius government restrictions speech designated public forum subject strict scrutiny restrictions traditional public forum also held government entity may create forum limited use certain groups dedicated solely discussion certain subjects perry ed supra forum government entity may impose restrictions speech reasonable see good news club milford central school iii may situations difficult tell whether government entity speaking behalf providing forum private speech case present situation permanent monuments displayed public property typically represent government speech governments long used monuments speak public since ancient times kings emperors rulers erected statues remind subjects authority power triumphal arches columns monuments built commemorate military victories sacrifices events civic importance monument definition structure designed means expression government entity arranges construction monument wishes convey thought instill feeling see structure neither appeals respondent disputes obvious proposition monument commissioned financed government body placement public land constitutes government speech monuments speak government privately financed donated monuments government accepts displays public government land certainly common property owners open property installation permanent monuments convey message wish associated property owners typically permit construction monuments land persons observe donated monuments routinely reasonably interpret conveying message property owner behalf context little chance observers fail appreciate identity speaker true whether monument located private property public property national state city park land think fair say throughout nation history general government practice respect donated monuments one selective receptivity great many monuments adorn nation public parks financed private funds donated private parties sites managed national park service contain thousands privately designed funded commemorative objects including statue liberty marine corps war memorial iwo jima monument vietnam veterans memorial cities likewise received thousands donated monuments see app brief international municipal lawyers association amicus curiae hereinafter imla brief listing examples brief american legion et al amici curiae accepting monuments privately funded donated government entities save tax dollars able acquire monuments afforded fund government entities regularly accept privately funded donated monuments exercised selectivity example discussed city new york amicus curiae illustrative wake controversy generated city turned donated monument honor daniel webster city adopted rules governing acceptance artwork permanent placement city parks requiring among things proposed gift art viewed either finished condition model acceptance brief city new york amicus curiae hereinafter nyc brief across country municipalities generally exercise editorial control donated monuments prior submission requirements design input requested modifications written criteria legislative approvals specific content proposals imla brief public parks often closely identified public mind government unit owns land city parks ranging small towns like pioneer park pleasant grove city major metropolises like central park new york city commonly play important role defining identity city projects residents outside world accordingly cities jurisdictions take care accepting donated monuments government decisionmakers select monuments portray view appropriate place question taking account factors esthetics history local culture monuments accepted therefore meant convey effect conveying government message thus constitute government speech iv case clear monuments pleasant grove pioneer park represent government speech although many monuments designed built city donated completed form private entities city decided accept donations display park respondent claim city ever opened park placement whatever permanent monuments might offered private donors rather city effectively controlled messages sent monuments park exercising final approval authority selection johanns city selected monuments wants display purpose presenting image city wishes project frequent park taken ownership monuments park including ten commandments monument focus respondent concern city expressly set forth criteria use making future selections respondent voices legitimate concern government speech doctrine used subterfuge favoring certain private speakers others based viewpoint respondent suggested solution require government entity accepting privately donated monument go formal process adopting resolution publicly embracing message monument conveys see brief respondent see reason imposing requirement sort parks country contain thousands donated monuments government entities used expressive purposes usually without producing sort formal documentation respondent says required escape free speech clause restrictions requiring jurisdictions go back proclaim formally adopt monuments expressive vehicles pointless exercise constitution mandate case example although respondent argues pleasant grove city adequately controll ed message ten commandments monument city took ownership monument put permanent display park owns manages linked city identity rights previously possessed monument donor relinquished city actions provided dramatic form adoption sort formal endorsement respondent demand unmistakably signifying park visitors city intends monument speak behalf city made effort abridge traditional free speech rights right speak distribute leaflets may exercised respondent others pioneer park respondent demands however city adopt embrace message associates monument respondent seems think monument convey one message presumably message intended donor government entity accepts monument placement property formally embrace message government engaged expressive conduct argument fundamentally misunderstands way monuments convey meaning meaning conveyed monument generally simple one like dinner johanns supra even monument features written word monument may intended interpreted may fact interpreted different observers variety ways monuments called attention briefing case illustrate phenomenon example message mosaic word imagine donated new york city central park memory john lennon see nyc brief app observers may imagine musical contributions john lennon made killed others may think lyrics lennon song obviously inspired mosaic may imagine world without religion countries possessions greed take another example message large bronze statue displaying word many world languages displayed fayetteville arkansas monuments almost certain evoke different thoughts sentiments minds different observers effect monuments contain text likely even variable consider example statue pancho villa given city tucson arizona government mexico according tucson publication wry sense irony statue commemorate revolutionary leader advocated agrarian reform poor violent bandit imla brief contrary respondent apparent belief frequently possible identify single message conveyed object structure consequently thoughts sentiments expressed government entity accepts displays object may quite different either creator accepting privately donated monument placing city property city engages expressive conduct intended perceived significance conduct may coincide thinking monument donor creator indeed privately donated memorial funded many small donations donors may differ interpretation monument accepting monument government entity necessarily endorse specific meaning particular donor sees monument message government entity conveys allowing monument remain property may also altered subsequent addition monuments vicinity example following controversy original design vietnam veterans memorial compromise reached called nearby addition flagstaff bronze three soldiers statue many believed changed overall effect memorial see mayo war memorials political landscape american experience beyond hass carried wall american memory vietnam veterans memorial message conveyed monument may change time study war memorials found people reinterpret meaning memorials historical interpretations society around changes mayo supra striking example interpretation monument evolve provided one famous beloved public monuments statue liberty statue given country third french republic express republican solidarity friendship two countries see res sess stat accepting statue expressive felicitous memorial sympathy citizens sister republic inaugural ceremony president cleveland saw statue emblem international friendship widespread influence american ideals see inauguration statue liberty enlightening world later statue come viewed beacon welcoming immigrants land freedom see public papers presidents ronald reagan vol july pp remarks opening ceremonies statue liberty centennial celebration new york new york higham transformation statue liberty send rev ed respondent appeals analogize installation permanent monuments public park delivery speeches holding marches demonstrations thus invoke rule public park traditional public forum activities public forum principles place context case american library forum doctrine applied situations property government program capable accommodating large number public speakers without defeating essential function land program example park accommodate many speakers time many parades demonstrations combined federal campaign permits hundreds groups solicit donations federal employees see cornelius public university student activity fund provide money many campus activities see rosenberger public university buildings may offer meeting space hundreds student groups see widmar vincent school system internal mail facilities support transmission many messages teachers school administrators see perry ed see also arkansas ed television forbes noting allowing candidate participate televised political debate burdensome logistical grounds result less speech contrast public parks accommodate limited number permanent monuments public parks used mind purposes assembly communicating thoughts citizens discussing public questions perry ed supra quoting hague one hard pressed find tradition allowing people permanently occupy public space manner monuments lucero dissenting denial rehearing en banc speakers matter eventually come end remarks persons distributing leaflets carrying signs point tire go home monuments however endure monopolize use land stand interfere permanently uses public space public park years provide soapbox large number orators often want speak hard imagine public park opened installation permanent monuments every person group wishing engage form expression respondent contends issue dealt time place manner restrictions including option ban unattended displays brief respondent view france presented statue liberty country option either declining france offer accepting gift providing comparable location harbor new york statues similar size nature statue autocracy one offered say german empire imperial russia respondent amici deride fears expressed consequences appeals holding case concerns well founded government entities must maintain viewpoint neutrality selection donated monuments must either brace influx clutter face pressure remove longstanding cherished monuments see mcconnell dissenting denial rehearing en banc every jurisdiction accepted donated war memorial may asked provide equal treatment donated monument questioning cause veterans fought new york city accepted donated statue one heroic dog balto sled dog brought medicine nome alaska diphtheria epidemic may pressed accept monuments dogs claimed equally worthy commemoration obvious truth matter public parks considered traditional public forums purpose erecting privately donated monuments parks little choice refuse donations application forum analysis lead almost inexorably closing forum obvious forum analysis place respondent compares present case capitol square review advisory bd pinette case involved different situation request private group ku klux klan erect cross period days public property opened similar temporary displays including christmas tree menorah see although public parks accommodate may made generally available temporary private displays rarely true permanent monuments sure limited circumstances forum doctrine might properly applied permanent monument example town created monument residents meeting criterion place name person honored private message general matter forum analysis simply apply installation permanent monuments public property sum hold city decision accept certain privately donated monuments rejecting respondent best viewed form government speech result city decision subject free speech clause appeals erred holding otherwise therefore reverse ordered pleasant grove city utah et petitioners summum writ certiorari appeals tenth circuit february justice stevens justice ginsburg joins concurring case involves property owner rejection offer place permanent display land join persuasive opinion think reasons justifying city refusal equally valid acceptance monument instead characterized government speech merely deemed implicit endorsement donor message see capitol square review advisory bd pinette stevens dissenting date decisions relying recently minted government speech doctrine uphold government action view doubtful merit see garcetti ceballos johanns livestock marketing rust sullivan opinion case signals expansion doctrine joining opinion mean indicate agreement earlier decisions unlike decisions relying government speech doctrine decision case excuses retaliation coercion private speech cf garcetti souter dissenting rust blackmun dissenting likely given near certainty observers associate permanent displays governmental property owner government able avoid political accountability views endorses expresses means cf johanns souter dissenting finally recognizing permanent displays public property government speech give government free license communicate offensive partisan messages even free speech clause neither restricts protects government speech government speakers bound constitution proscriptions including supplied establishment equal protection clauses together checks imposed democratic processes constitutional safeguards ensure effect today decision limited pleasant grove city utah et petitioners summum writ certiorari appeals tenth circuit february justice scalia justice thomas joins concurring framed argued parties case presents question free speech clause first amendment agree analysis question join opinion full also obvious start case litigated shadow first amendment establishment clause city wary associating closely ten commandments monument displayed park lest deemed breach wall separation church state reynolds respondent exploiting hesitation argue monument government speech city sufficiently adopted message respondent menacingly observed city formally adopted monument might course raise establishment clause issues brief respondent city fear today victory propelled free speech clause frying pan establishment clause fire contrary respondent intimations good reasons confident park displays violate part first amendment van orden perry upheld establishment clause challenge virtually identical ten commandments monument donated organization fraternal order eagles displayed grounds surrounding texas state capitol nothing decision suggested outcome turned finding monument private speech contrary justices agreed government speech issue establishment clause argument nonetheless rejected plurality ten commandments undeniable historical meaning addition religious significance opinion rehnquist justice breyer concurring judgment agreed monument conveyed permissible secular message evidenced location park contained multiple monuments historical markers fact donated eagles part organization efforts combat juvenile delinquency length time years monument gone unchallenged see also souter dissenting even accepting narrowest reading narrowest opinion necessary judgment van orden little basis distinguish monument case pioneer park includes permanent displays ante donated eagles part national effort combat juvenile delinquency brief respondent erected means approaching momentous anniversary city safely exhale residents visitors return enjoying pioneer park wishing well historic granary yes even ten commandments monument without fear complicit establishment religion pleasant grove city utah et petitioners summum writ certiorari appeals tenth circuit february justice breyer concurring agree join opinion however understanding government speech doctrine rule thumb rigid category city discriminate selection permanent monuments grounds unrelated display theme say solely political grounds action might well violate first amendment view courts must apply categories government speech public forums limited public forums nonpublic forums eye towards purposes lest turn free speech doctrine jurisprudence labels cf kokinda brennan dissenting consequently must sometimes look beyond initial categorization helps ask whether government action burdens speech disproportionately light action tendency legitimate government objective see ysursa pocatello ed ante breyer concurring part dissenting part nixon shrink missouri government pac breyer concurring find reasons sets forth city action preventing summum erecting monument disproportionately restrict summum freedom expression city closed parks speech one claims city prevents summum members engaging speech form transient permanent monument rather city simply reserved space park projects designed goals perfectly proper parks serve interests alone contrary cities use park space variety recreational historical educational aesthetic civic interests reserve city power pick choose among proposed monuments according criteria reasonably related one legitimate ends restricts summum expression given impracticality alternatives viewed light city legitimate needs restriction disproportionate analyzed either way government speech proportionate restriction summum expression city action lawful pleasant grove city utah et petitioners summum writ certiorari appeals tenth circuit february justice souter concurring judgment agree ten commandments monument government speech expression government position moral religious issues raised subject monument see board regents univ system southworth noting government speech may promote government policies advance particular idea although government lose character speech issue governmental nature made clear see johanns livestock marketing souter dissenting also agree city need satisfy particular formality urged summum condition recognizing expression falls within public category qualms however accepting position public monuments government speech categorically see ante monuments speak government privately financed donated monuments government accepts displays public government land government speech doctrine justice stevens notes ante concurring opinion recently minted well us go slow setting bounds affect existing doctrine ways yet explored even though example establishment clause issues neither raised briefed us doubt case government speech claim litigated parties one eye establishment clause see ante scalia concurring interaction government speech doctrine establishment clause principles however begun worked case shows may easy work today decision whenever government maintains monument presumably understood engaging government speech monument religious character specter violating establishment clause behoove take care avoid appearance establishment religion sense government adoption tenets expressed symbolized instance safety numbers interest careful government accept monuments stand nearby dilute appearance adopting whatever particular religious position single example alone might stand mementoes testimonials pile however chatter may well make less intuitively obvious government speaking right simply maintaining monuments case like occurred suspicion grew permanent displays government speech least equally private character associated private donors establishment clause prohibition surface bar preferring religious speakers others see wallace jaffree rehnquist dissenting clause also designed stop federal government asserting preference one religious denomination sect others government well argue development government speech doctrine expresses views free establishment clause stricture discriminating among religious sects groups view relationship two doctrines easy government favor private religious speakers others choice monuments accept whether view turns sound say point simply unclear relatively new category government speech relate traditional categories establishment clause analysis case occasion speculate occasion however try keep inevitable issues open simple one way recognize circumstances government maintenance monuments look like government speech sectarian identifications markers arlington cemetery come mind recognize forgo categorical rule point avoid relying per se rule say speech governmental best approach occurs ask whether reasonable fully informed observer understand expression government speech distinct private speech government chooses oblige allowing monument placed public land reasonable observer test governmental character piece one spotting forbidden governmental endorsement religion establishment clause cases see county allegheny american civil liberties union greater pittsburgh chapter concurring part concurring judgment adoption thus serve coherence within establishment clause law make sense common understanding monuments public land display religious symbolism clearly express government chosen views application observer test provides reason find monument government expression footnotes respondent brief describes church seven aphorisms follows summum church incorporates elements gnostic christianity teaching spiritual knowledge experiential devotion comes revelation human perceptions transfigures individual see teachings summum teachings gnostic christianity http visited central summum religious belief practice seven principles creation seven aphorisms according summum doctrine seven aphorisms inscribed original tablets handed god moses mount sinai moses believed israelites ready receive aphorisms shared select group people summum exodus account moses destroyed original tablets traveled back mount sinai returned second set tablets containing ten commandments see aphorisms summum ten commandments http visited brief respondent lyrics follows imagine heaven easy try hell us us sky imagine people living today imagine countries hard nothing kill die religion imagine people living life peace may say dreamer one hope someday join us world one imagine possessions wonder need greed hunger brotherhood man imagine people sharing world may say dreamer one hope someday join us world live one lennon imagine imagine apple records see imla brief presidio trail historical walking tour downtown tucson online http museum collections illustrate phenomenon museums display works art express many different sentiments significance donated work art creator donor may differ markedly museum reasons accepting displaying work example painting religious scene may commissioned painted express religious thoughts feelings even painting donated museum patron shares thoughts feelings follow museum displaying painting intends convey perceived conveying message example vietnam veterans memorial fund private organization obtained funding donors construction memorial donors expressed wide range personal sentiments contributing money memorial see scruggs swerdlow heal nation vietnam veterans memorial see nyc brief app brief american catholic lawyers association amicus curiae