George Rockwell’s American Nazi Party was under permanent court order here today to stay away from any synagogue on the Jewish Sabbath or on Jewish holidays. Judge Sam Perry converted a temporary injunction into a permanent one in federal court here for the northern judicial district of Illinois, which covers all of Chicago and counties surrounding it. Rockwell said he would appeal.
Judge Perry said he based his ruling on the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion. He twice cut Rockwell short when the Nazi arose to protest at the hearing. “This court,” he ruled, “would restrain or regulate any kind of march, regardless of color or creed, if the same should be shown to be in violation of constitutional rights of individuals that would result in substantial and irreparable damage or injury to persons or the community as a whole, and especially if it is shown that the purpose of such marches or demonstrations is to foment racial or religious discord.”
The injunction covers not only members of Rockwell’s group but also any other person wearing a Nazi uniform or carrying Nazi Party paraphernalia, such as placards or symbols. All such demonstrations, under the ruling, are confined to a point beyond a half-mile from any synagogue.
The initial suit was brought by the Jewish War Veterans here, early in September, when Rockwell announced he would march into Jewish neighborhoods on the High Holy Days Judge Perry issued a temporary injunction for that period, which he mad permanent Friday Rockwell called the decision “the most outrageous I ever have encountered.”
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