History of Antisemitism in The United States - Late Twentieth Century - NSPA March in Skokie

NSPA March in Skokie

Skokie, Illinois was traditionally home to a sizable Jewish population, and although in recent years the town has significantly diversified, the Jewish population in Skokie, as well as in other suburbs, has also grown significantly. In 1977 and 1978, members of the National Socialist Party of America (an offshoot of the American Nazi Party) led by Frank Collin attempted to march through Skokie. The NSPA planned to rally in Marquette Park, Chicago; the city reacted by placing a ban on all demonstrations in the park.

Seeking another venue, the NSPA chose Skokie. Because of the large number of Holocaust survivors in Skokie, it was believed that the march would be disruptive, and the village refused to allow it. They passed three new ordinances requiring damage deposits, banning marches in military uniforms and limiting the distribution of hate speech literature. The American Civil Liberties Union interceded on behalf of the NSPA in National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie seeking a parade permit and to invalidate the three new Skokie ordinances.

An Illinois appeals court lifted the injunction issued by a Cook County Circuit Court judge, ruling that the presence of the swastika, the Nazi emblem, would constitute deliberate provocation of the people of Skokie. However, they also ruled that attorneys for the town of Skokie had failed to prove that either the Nazi uniform or printed materials that the Nazis allegedly intended to distribute would incite violence. On October 21, 1977, the United States District Court for Northern Illinois enjoined the enforcement of the three ordinances. On January 27, 1978, the Illinois Supreme Court reverses the Circuit Court and allows the march. On May 22, 1978, the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirms the District Court. As a result, Skokie issues a parade permit for June 25, 1978, while taking the case to the United States Supreme Court.

However, due to a subsequent lifting of the Marquette Park ban, the NSPA ultimately held their rally in Chicago on July 7, 1978, instead of in Skokie.