Use of Potatoes to Block the Maine-Canada Border ( 1981 )

Use of Potatoes to Block the Maine-Canada Border
A number o f federal statutes might justify federal intervention in the event Maine potato
farmers seek to block highways at border crossings in northeastern Maine to prevent
the im portation of potatoes from Canada, or attack federal officers or property at the
United States-Canada border. Federal intervention might take the form o f direct law
enforcement activity by federal executive officials, or a judicial injunction against
persons seeking to obstruct the passage o f interstate commerce and the mails.
In extreme situations, the President may call out the National Guard or the Army to put
dow n rebellions in states that threaten the enforcement of federal law.
Federal law enforcement officers have no special authority to make arrests for violations
o f state law, and they can act in this regard only as private citizens.
T he A ttorney General is the chief civilian officer in charge o f coordinating all federal
governm ental activities relating to civil disturbances. Generally, because the statutory
and constitutional scheme of our governm ent leaves the protection of life and property
and the maintenance o f public order largely to state and local governments, the
A ttorney General has pursued a policy against commitment o f federal forces until
advised by the appropriate state officials that the situation is beyond their control.
December 23, 1981
MEMORANDUM OPINION FOR
TH E COUNSEL TO TH E PRESIDENT
In response to pressure from Maine potato farmers threatened by
competition from Canada, Maine’s Department of Agriculture has
issued regulations which require inspectors, inspection fees, and permits
for all potatoes entering the state. Because the regulations appear on
their face to offend the Commerce Clause of the Constitution, the
Justice Department sued in federal court to have them struck down.
United States v. Maine, No. 81-0458 P (D. Me., filed Dec. 7, 1981). On
Tuesday, December 8, Judge Edward T. Gignoux, Chief Judge of the
United States District Court for the District of Maine, denied the
federal government’s request for a temporary restraining order. Follow­
ing a hearing on December 21 and 22, Judge Gignoux granted the
motion for a preliminary injunction yesterday afternoon. Unless the
state voluntarily withdraws the regulations within the next few days,
the judge has said that he will enter a final injunction by next week.
The preliminary injunction is enforceable against the named defend­
ants—the State of Maine, the Governor, his Attorney General, and the
State’s Department of Agriculture—and their agents. Fed. R. Civ. P.
65(d).
422
This responds to your request for information on the options avail­
able to the U.S. Attorney General and the President should Maine
farmers, individuals not covered by the injunction, attempt to thwart
the effect of the injunction by obstructing highways on the Maine-
Canada border.
I. Scenario
Assuming the farmers follow the same pattern as their last demon­
stration in 1980, they will use potatoes, trucks, and other heavy equip­
ment to block the highways at border crossings in northeastern Maine.1
In 1980, when nine border stations over a 100-mile stretch were in­
volved, two arrests were made on the first day of the demonstration by
the state police.2 Border traffic was rerouted to other crossings. The
protest ended after two days when then Vice President Mondale prom­
ised to set up a task force to study the problem. We will assume for the
purposes of this memorandum that state officials are unable or unwill­
ing to intervene to end the protest.
If the farmers stage a low-key demonstration—merely dumping the
potatoes and milling about—there may be no overt threat to either
federal officers or to federal land or property at the border crossings
themselves. In 1980, some potatoes apparently did roll under the cano­
pies of the Customs Service sheds, but they were removed without
incident. The demonstration could escalate, however, to the point
where a mob threatens harm to Border Patrol or Customs Service
agents and federal facilities. In 1980, for example, a state police officer
inflicted a serious head wound on a farmer.3
II. Potentially Applicable Statutes
Identifying federal statutes in this context is difficult. The statutory
and constitutional scheme of our government leaves the protection of
life and property and the maintenance of public order largely to state
and local governments. Only when civil disorder grows beyond a
state’s ability to control or threatens federal rights does the federal
government generally intervene. The following statutes may become
‘ N.Y. Times, M arch 28, 1980, at 16, col. 3; id. March 29, 1980, at 6, col. 5; id, M arch 30, 1980, at
26, col. 6. Apparently, only the lane carrying traffic into the United States was blocked. Telephone
conversation with William D. Slyne, Branch Chief, Special Operations, United States Customs Serv­
ice, (566-2957) (December 10, 1981).
2N.Y. Times, M arch 29, 1980, at 6, col. 6. Governor Brennan was quoted as saying he would make
every effort to clear the roads, although he was reluctant to use violence. Id. *
3Slyne conversation, supra n.l.
423
applicable, depending upon what course the farmers and state officials
take.
1. Obstruction o f highways: Highways in the United States are owned
by the states, even though often built in large part by federal funds, and
are, therefore, generally under state jurisdiction.4 Blockage of a state
highway is not usally a matter of federal concern. However, federal
law prohibits interference with the right to travel. 18 U.S.C. § 241,® and
42 U.S.C. § 1985(3).6 Private conspiracies to harm travelers and ob­
struct their passage have been prosecuted under these acts. See Griffin
v. Breckenridge, 403 U.S. 88 (1971); United States v. Guest, 383 U.S.
745, 757-60 (1966). In 1974, the United States obtained indictments of
persons participating in a coordinated truckers’ strike that was intended
to interfere with the interstate travel rights of non-striking truckers.7
Federal law also prohibits, during a civil disturbance, the injury, intimi­
dation of, or interference with anyone engaged in interstate commerce.
18 U.S.C. § 245(b)(3).8
It is also possible that the potato farmers might fall afoul of the
Sherman A ct’s antitrust provisions,9 since they are acting in cpncert in
an effort to restrain trade.
If an unruly mob attacks Canadian drivers, we could consider initiat­
ing prosecutions under 18 U.S.C. § 245(b)(2)(E), which makes it unlaw­
ful to injure, intimidate, or interfere with “any person because of his
. . . national origin and because he is or has been . . . traveling in or
using any facility of interstate commerce.” Likewise, the use of extor­
tion to obtain compliance from other farmers or Canadians might vio­
late 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a), (b)(2). See also 18 U.S.C. § 1952(a)(2), (b)(2).
4 Telephone conversation with L. H arold Akens, Jr., Special Assistant to the C hief Counsel, Federal
Highw ay Administration, December 8, 1981.
5 If tw o o r more persons conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, o r intimidate any citizen in the free
exercise or enjoym ent o f any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the
United States, o r because o f his having so exercised the same; or
If tw o or m ore persons go in disguise on the highway, or on the premises o f another,
w ith intent to prevent or hinder his free exercise or enjoyment o f any right or
privilege so secured . . .
18 U.S.C. §241.
6 If tw o o r m ore persons in any State or T erritory conspire o r go in disguise on the
highw ay o r the premises of another, for the purpose of depriving, either directly o r
indirectly, any person o r class of persons of the equal protection o f the laws, or o f equal
privileges and immunities under the laws . . . 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3)
7 L etter from Robert G. Dixon, Jr., Assistant A ttorney General, Office of Legal Counsel, to the
Honorable John D. Dingell, U.S. House o f Representatives (April 16, 1974).
8 W hoever, w hether o r not acting under color o f state law, by force or threat o f force
willfully injures, intimidates or interferes with . . . during o r incident to a riot or civil
disorder, any person engaged in a business in com m erce or affecting commerce, including,
but not limited to, any person engaged in a business which sells or offers for sale to
interstate travelers a substantial portion of the articles, commodities or services which it
sells . . . .
18 U.S.C. § 245(b)(3).
3 E very . . . conspiracy, in restraint o f trade or com m erce among the several States, or with foreign
nations, is declared to be illegal.
15 U.S.C. § 1.
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Because of the burden that obstructions on the highway place on
interstate commerce, the United States can either go into court to
obtain an injunction against any impediment to the passage of interstate
or foreign commerce and to delivery of the mails, In re Debs, 158 U.S.
564, 581-83 (1895), or can choose to use force. Id. Debs involved a
major strike against the Pullman Co. that attempted—often, it was
alleged, by violence—to shut down several interstate railroads. The
United States, noting that mail, foodstuffs, fuel, and passengers were all
carried by the railroads, obtained an injunction against “any” person
who attempted to interfere in any manner with the named railroads. Id.
at 570. When Eugene Debs, jailed for contempt of this order, sued for a
writ of habeas corpus, the Supreme Court explicitly chose, id. at 600, to
rest its denial on the broad ground of the federal government’s inherent
authority to enforce its jurisdiction “over every foot of soil within its
territory and [to act] directly upon each citizen . . . ." Id . at 599. “[I]n
the exercise of those powers it is competent for the nation to remove
all obstructions upon highways, natural or artificial, to the passage of
interstate commerce or the carrying of the mail . . . Id. There is a
statute explicitly prohibiting obstruction of the mail. 18 U.S.C. § 1701.10
2. Attack on federal officers or property. Several statutes protect federal
officers and property. During a civil disorder—a public disturbance by
more than three people involving acts of violence, 18 U.S.C. § 232(1)—
it is a felony to impede a law enforcement officer in his official duties.
18 U.S.C. § 231(a)(3).11 Assault on or resistance to customs and immi­
gration officers is specifically forbidden, 18 U.S.C. § 111,12 as are rebel­
lions against the authority of the United States, 18 U.S.C. § 2383,13 and
10 W hoever knowingly and willfully obstructs or retards the passage o f the mail, or any
carrier o r conveyance carrying the mail, shall be fined not more than $100 or imprisoned
not more than six months, or both.
18 U.S C. § 1701. Foreign mail is considered mail of the United States. 18 U.S.C. § 1692. Note that the
Postal Service is now an independent establishment with authonty to sue in its own name, 39 U.S.C.
§ 401(1) and any suit by the Attorney General might well require its concurrence. 39 U.S.C. § 409(d).
11 (3) W hoever commits or attempts to commit any act to obstruct, impede, o r interfere
with any fireman or law enforcement officer lawfully engaged in the lawful performance o f
his official duties incident to and during the commission o f a civil disorder w hich in any
way or degree obstructs, delays, or adversely affects commerce or the movement o f any
article o r commodity in commerce or the conduct or performance of any federally
protected function—
Shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or
both.
18 U .S.C. § 2 3 1(a)(3).
1S W hoever forcibly assaults, resists, opposes, impedes, intimidates, or interferes with any
person designated in section 1114 o f this title while engaged in or on account of the
performance o f his official duties, shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not
more than three years, or both.
18 U .S C, § 111. Section 1114 is a list o f co v ered officials.
14 W hoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion o r insurrection
against the authority o f the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort
thereto, shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than ten years, or
both; and shall be incapable o f holding any office under the United States.
18 U.S.C. § 2383. See also 18 U S.C § 2384 (conspiracy).
14 W hoever willfully injures or commits any depredation against any property o f the
United States, or o f any department or agency thereof, or any property which has been or
is being m anufactured or constructed for the United States, or any department o r agency
thereof, shall be punished . . . .
18 U.S.C. § 1362. See also 40 U .S.C. §§ 318—318d (security p ro v id ed by G S A )
425
willful injury to United States property, 18 U.S.C. § 1361,14 or certain
kinds of communications equipment, 18 U.S.C. § 1362. Arrests may be
made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 18 U.S.C. § 3052,
United States Marshals, 18 U.S.C. §3053, and Secret Service agents, 18
U.S.C. § 3056. (Note that Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
agents may only arrest for violations of the immigration laws, 8 U.S.C.
§§ 1324(b), 1357, and customs officers are generally limited to arrests
for violations of the customs laws, unless armed with a warrant. 19
U.S.C. § 1581(0; 26 U.S.C. §7607(2)).
3. Presidential authority: In extreme situations, the President may call
out the National Guard o r the Army to put down rebellions that
threaten enforcement of federal law, 10 U.S.C. §332,15 and to protect
against deprivations of constitutional rights caused by failure to enforce
state or federal law. 18 U.S.C. §333.16 The application of these two
statutes is explored fully in “The Use of Military Force Under Federal
Law to Deal with Civil Disorders and Domestic Violence” (1980), a
Department of Justice manual based in large part on the work of
former OLC Deputy Assistant Attorney General Lawton.
4. Enforcement o f state law: “We think it clear that the FBI has no
federal authority to take action with respect to violations of state law,
even in exigent circumstances.” Memorandum for the Director of the
FBI from Assistant Attorney General Harmon, February 24, 1978, at 1.
After noting that several courts have agreed with this view, the opinion
states that “if no federal statute authorizes arrests in a particular situa­
tion, state law governs.” Id. at 2. The issue, therefore, becomes whether
federal law enforcement officers are considered officers under Maine
law or, if not, what arrest authority Maine grants private citizens.17
16 W henever the President considers that unlawful obstructions, combinations, or assemblages, or
rebellion against the authority of the U nited States, make it impracticable to enforce the laws of the
United States in any State or Territory by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, he may call
into Federal service such o f the militia o f any State, and use such of the armed forces, as he considers
necessary to enforce those laws or to suppress the rebellion.
10 U.S.C. § 332
16 T he President, by using the militia o r the armed forces, or both, or by any other means, shall
take such measures as he considers necessary to suppress, in a State, any insurrection, domestic
violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy, if it—
(1) so hinders the execution of th e laws o f that State, and of the United States within
th e State, that any part or class o f its people is deprived of a right, privilege, immunity,
o r protection named in the Constitution and secured by law, and the constituted
authorities o f that State are unable, fail, or refuse to protect that right, privilege, or
immunity, or to give that protection; or
(2) opposes or obstructs the execution o f the laws o f the United States or impedes
the course o f justice under those laws.
10 U.S.C. §333
17 See United States v. Carter, 523 F.2d 476 (8th Cir. 1975); Ward v. United States, 316 F.2d 113 (9th
Cir. 1963), cert, denied, 375 U.S. 862 (1963). The FBI has, on prior occasions, expressed policy
objections to being used to enforce state laws. Memorandum for the Attorney General from Assistant
A ttorney G eneral White, September 17, 1957.
426
Law enforcement officers18 in Maine may make a warrantless arrest
for violations of a number of potentially applicable state statutes: riot,
Me. Rev. Stat. Ann., tit. 17-A, § 503 (Supp. 1980); unlawful assembly,
id. § 504; obstruction of public ways, id. § 505; assault, id. § 207; crimi­
nal threatening, id. §209; reckless conduct, id. §211; obstruction of
government administration, id. §751; and criminal mischief, id. §806.
See id. § 15(1)(A)(5). Assuming, despite the broad language, that the
definition of a Maine “law enforcement officer” does not cover federal
agents, all federal officials, including INS and Customs officers, can act
as private citizens. Maine law permits private citizens to make a
warrantless arrest for any of the listed crimes that take place in their
presence except unlawful assembly and obstruction of the public ways.
Id. § 16(2)(A). The Memorandum for the Director of the FBI, supra,
discusses the potential liability of the agents and the United States
government if the state law is incorrectly applied. Memorandum, at
6-9.
III. Conclusion
The Attorney General is the chief civilian officer in charge of co­
ordinating all federal governmental activities relating to civil disturb­
ances.19 Depending upon the seriousness of the disturbance, he may
wish to consult with the Border Patrol, Customs Service (Department
of Commerce), the State Department, the United States Trade Repre­
sentative (Department of Agriculture), and the local United States
Attorney, as well as state officials. Memoranda written during prior
incidents reveal a policy against commitment of federal forces until the
governor of the state has used all available local resources and is
willing to advise that the situation is beyond state control.20 If it is
decided, as a policy matter, that the federal government should inter­
18 This is “any person who by virtue of his public office employment is vested by law with a duty
to maintain public order . . . . or to make arrests for cnm es . . Me. Rev. Stat. Ann., tit. 17-A,
§2(17). Maine completely revised its criminal code within the last two years and there are no cases
interpreting this section.
19 Interdepartmental Action Plan for Civil Disturbances at 2 (1969).
20 See, e.g.. Memorandum for the Attorney General from Assistant Attorney General H annon,
September 9, 1977 (coal strike in West Virginia).
427
vene, we should probably explore in more depth the possibility of
obtaining an injunction against any persons who are obstructing the
passage of interstate commerce and the mails.
T heodore B. O l s o n
Assistant Attorney General
Office o f Legal Counsel
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