This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

D, a Jehovah's Witnesses, went to the homes of strangers, knocking on doors and ringing doorbells in order to distribute leaflets advertising a religious meeting. D proceeded in a conventional and orderly fashion. For delivering a leaflet she was convicted in the Mayor's Court and was fined $10.00 on a charge of violating the following City ordinance: 'It is unlawful for any person distributing handbills, circulars or other advertisements to ring the door bell, sound the door knocker, or otherwise summon the inmate or inmates of any residence to the door for the purpose of receiving such handbills, circulars or other advertisements they or any person with them may be distributing.' D claimed the ordinance was in violation of the right of freedom of press and religion as guaranteed by the First and Fourteenth Amendments. Eventually, the Supreme Court granted certiorari.

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