"Citizenship is no light trifle to be jeopardized any moment Congress decides to do so under the name of one of its general or implied grants of power."

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Source: Afroyim v. Rusk, 387 U.S. 267 - 68. 1967.

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Hugo Black

Justice

Hugo Black was an influential U.S. Supreme Court Justice known for his strong advocacy of civil liberties and his role in shaping constitutional law.

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Hugo Black Justice

"The Government's power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain forever free to censure the Government. The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government and inform the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government."

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Hugo Black Justice

"The Press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of the government and inform the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government. And paramount among the responsibilities of a free press is the duty to prevent any part of the government from deceiving the people."

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Hugo Black Justice

"The First Amendment's language leaves no room for inference that abridgments of speech and press can be made just because they are slight. That Amendment provides, in simple words, that "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." I read "no law . . . abridging" to mean no law abridging."

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