October Term 2021 · Docket 20-1800
Can a city deny a flag request based on its religious message?
Boston denied a flag request citing its religious message. The applicant claims this violates free speech rights.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
The applicant stated the city approved 284 flags without denial. The applicant argued the city targeted the word Christian specifically.
The city argued it uses its property for lawful expressive purposes. The city claimed it is not compelled to express competing viewpoints.
Justice Kavanaugh asked if the city could ban anti-American flags. He asked if the city could reject flags supporting discrimination.
The city argued it can select the views it wants to express. The city claimed this control is a core aspect of government speech.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 15-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 35-53 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 35-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 37-7 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 37-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 88, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 88, lines 31-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 35-25
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests whether a city can treat its flagpole as a government speech platform. If so, the city controls the message. If not, it must treat all speakers equally.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 35-53 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 35-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 88, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 88, lines 31-11
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 18, 2022.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 25-39
What each side wants
The applicant wants the city to treat the flagpole as a public forum. This would force the city to accept all lawful flags.
The city wants the court to treat the flagpole as government speech. This would let the city choose which messages to display.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 35-53 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 35-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 88, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 88, lines 31-11
What each side says
The applicant argues the city acted as a neutral host. It cannot reject a flag because of its religious viewpoint.
The city argues it controls its own property. It may select the views it wishes to express on its flagpole.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 35-53 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 35-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 88, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 88, lines 31-11
What the justices asked
Justice Barrett asked if the city could endorse specific civic messages. She asked if the city could exercise more control over the flagpole.
Chief Justice Roberts asked if the government can discriminate based on viewpoint. He asked if this applies to official government speech platforms.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 15-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 37-7 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 37-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 35-25
Why it matters
This dispute defines the boundary between government speech and public forums. It determines whether cities can curate messages on public property. The outcome shapes how governments manage expressive spaces.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 35-53 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 35-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 88, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 88, lines 31-11
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 15-53 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 15-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 37-7 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 37-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-29 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 35-25
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 35-53 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 35-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 88, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 88, lines 31-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 35-53 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 35-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 88, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 88, lines 31-11
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.