Supreme Court Rules Westboro Baptist Church Has Right To Protest Soldiers' Funerals
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Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church members, who became infamous by protesting at the funerals of U.S. soldiers with signs that said “Thank God for Dead Soldiers” and “God Hates Fags,” have the right to do so, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. 
Westboro Baptist Church (Creative Commons)
In an 8-1 vote, Supreme Court Justices voted in favor of the Westboro Church, ruling that the protesters are protected by the First Amendment, no matter how offensive their anti-gay, anti-military message might be to some.
The church and Fred Phelps were being sued by Maryland resident Albert Snyder, the father of the late Matthew Snyder, a soldier who died in Iraq in 2006. Albert Snyder cited “emotional distress” as the reason for his lawsuit. Phelps and his family protested at Matthew Snyder’s funeral with signs that read “God Hates America” and “Semper Fi Fags”.
The court had originally awarded the Snyder family $11 million in damages, which was later reduced to $5 million and eventually thrown out in the appeals court ruling in favor of the Westboro Church. Chief Justice Roberts said that the church’s right to protest - no matter where they do it - was protected by their constitutional rights.
"Speech is powerful. It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow, and — as it did here — inflict great pain," wrote Justice Roberts in his opinion, “On the facts before us, we cannot react to that pain by punishing the speaker. As a Nation we have chosen a different course — to protect even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate. That choice requires that we shield Westboro from Tort liability for its picketing in this case."
Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito’s opinion differed; he argued that it was neither the time or place for the Westboro Church to be expressing their anti-gay views.
"Our profound national commitment to free and open debate is not a license for the vicious verbal assault that occurred in this case," Alito wrote.
"Petitioner Albert Snyder is not a public figure. He is simply a parent whose son … was killed in Iraq. Mr. Snyder wanted what is surely the right of any parent who experiences such an incalculable loss: to bury his son in peace. But respondents, members of the Westboro Baptist Church, deprived him of that elementary right."
Reach reporter Tasbeeh Herwees here.
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Comments
Harassment by religious extremist
Jehovah's Witnesses instigated court decisions in 1942 which involved cursing a police officer calling him a fascist and to get in your face at the door steps,....this same JW 1942 court decision upheld infamous Phelps hate church in 2011
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Danny Haszard
First off, God doesn't hate anyone and is all forgiving. Jesus was a Jew and the Jew's didn't kill him. They have no respect for America, look how they care for the flag, they let it drag on the ground. These people are radicals that live on hate and spreading it.
The soldiers served our country to protect us. They do not decide on when or where they will go. It is the Politician's in DC that make the decision.
If you have a beef with the war and where are service men and woman are being sent to serve. Take it up with you Senator and Congressmen and Congresswoman.
Stop harrassing those that are in mourning the loss of their child or children.
You are not setting a good example for your children too.
God Bless Our Soldiers and keep them all safe, healthy.
God I know loves all, doesn't judge others, is forgiving, and doesn't desert the people that don't believe in him.
He even will forgive the ignorance of these people.