The death penalty is no more effective a deterrent than life imprisonment... It is also evident that the burden of capital punishment falls upon the poor, the ignorant and the underprivileged members of society.

The First Amendment serves not only the needs of the polity but also those of the human spirit - a spirit that demands self-expression .

I wish I could say that racism and prejudice were only distant memories... We must dissent from the indifference. We must dissent from the apathy. We must dissent from the fear, the hatred and the mistrust... We must dissent because America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better.

Equal means getting the same thing, at the same time and in the same place.

Mere access to the courthouse doors does not by itself assure a proper functioning of the adversary process.

Ending racial discrimination in jury selection can be accomplished only by eliminating peremptory challenges entirely.

Classifications and distinctions based on race or color have no moral or legal validity in our society. They are contrary to our constitution and laws.