Filed Date: Sept. 10, 1976
Closed Date: Sept. 14, 1978
Clearinghouse coding complete
In 1976, the ACLU of Western Tennessee, along with two Memphis residents, filed this case against the Memphis Police Department in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. Plaintiffs claimed that the Memphis police interfered with their First Amendment rights to free speech and association when it gathered "political intelligence."
On September 14, 1978, the court (Judge Robert M. McRae) entered a Consent Order prohibiting the police from engaging in any sort of political intelligence gathering.
Thirty-two years later, the Police Department published a policy revision prohibiting political surveillance. It also published the 1978 Consent Decree on its website.
Summary Authors
Sophia Weaver (3/22/2023)
Blanchard v. City of Memphis, Western District of Tennessee (2017)
McRae, Robert Malcolm Jr. (Tennessee)
Hurder, Alex (Tennessee)
Kramer, Bruce S. (Tennessee)
Novik, Jack D. (New York)
Shea, Arthur J. (Tennessee)
Last updated March 5, 2024, 3:04 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Tennessee
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Sept. 10, 1976
Closing Date: Sept. 14, 1978
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A class of all individuals and organizations who have engaged in constitutionally protected activity and conduct, and who have been subject of investigation by the Domestic Intelligence Unit of the Memphis Police Department.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Unknown
Defendants
City of Memphis (Memphis, Shelby), City
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Unreasonable search and seizure
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Content of Injunction:
Provide antidiscrimination training
Issues
General/Misc.: