The U.S. Supreme Court case Hague, Mayor, et al. v. Committee for Industrial Organization et al., 1938 revolved around the issue of freedom of speech and assembly as protected by the First Amendment rights in public spaces such as streets and parks. The mayor of Jersey City, Frank Hague had banned meetings by labor unions (particularly those associated with the Committee for Industrial Organization) on city property under a local ordinance that required permits to hold gatherings or distribute literature in public places; these were often denied arbitrarily without clear standards or reasons provided. The court ruled against Mayor Hague stating that his actions violated citizens' constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful assembly which are fundamental aspects of national citizenship not just state citizenship thus applying them to states through Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause - this was an important step towards incorporation doctrine development where most protections found in Bill Of Rights were applied at state level too.

In the dissenting opinion for Hague, Mayor, et al. v. Committee for Industrial Organization et al., Justice McReynolds argued that the majority's decision was an overreach of federal power into local affairs and a violation of states' rights to govern their own public spaces. He contended that Jersey City had acted within its authority in banning political meetings in public parks to maintain order and prevent potential disturbances or violence. According to him, it is not the role of the Supreme Court to interfere with such decisions unless there is clear evidence of constitutional violations which he did not believe existed in this case. Furthermore, he expressed concern about setting a precedent where any group could demand access to public property under First Amendment protection without regard for local regulations or considerations.