CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that members of the Westboro Baptist Church, infamous for their incendiary antigay demonstrations, are protected under the First Amendment in protesting military funerals.
In an 8-1 ruling issued Wednesday, the court found in Snyder v. Phelps that the church's 2006 protest of the funeral of a soldier who was killed in Iraq did not disrupt the service, and that Westboro "addressed matters of public import on public property, in a peaceful manner, in full compliance with the guidance of local officials."
Albert Snyder, father of the late Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, filed suit against the church after it protested his son's funeral, asserting that the deaths of American soldiers in combat is one of myriad examples that God is angry at the United States for its tolerance of homosexuality.
"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," Chief
Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion. "On the facts before us, we cannot react to
that pain by punishing the speaker."
But in his dissenting opinion, Justice Samuel Alito wrote, "Our profound national commitment to free and open debate is not a license for the vicious verbal assault that occurred in this case." As such, Alito wrote, "Mr. Snyder wanted what is surely the right of any parent who experiences such an incalculable loss: to bury his son in peace."
Megan Phelps-Roper, a 20-something member of the WBC who has helped to raise the church's visibility in recent years via social media and parodies of gay-friendly artists such as Lady Gaga, was jubilant via Twitter of the decision.
"HERE YE ALL NATIONS!" Phelps-Roper tweeted. "WBC WINS SCOTUS! 1st AMEND NOT YET DEAD! PRAISE GOD! BOW YOUR KNEE TO HIS POWER & MIGHT! OBEY OR PERISH!"
Sean Summers, the attorney representing Snyder, said of his client, "Obviously, it's not the decision he wanted."
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
18 of the most batsh*t things N.C. Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson has said
October 30 2024 11:06 AM
True
After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star
August 20 2024 12:28 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Trump ally Laura Loomer goes after Lindsey Graham: ‘We all know you’re gay’
September 13 2024 2:28 PM
60 wild photos from Folsom Street East that prove New York City knows how to play
June 21 2024 12:25 PM
Melania Trump cashed six-figure check to speak to gay Republicans at Mar-a-Lago
August 16 2024 5:57 PM
Latest Stories
Trans Americans, drag performers outraged at Trump's use of their images: report
October 30 2024 4:30 PM
Will Ferrell and Billy Eichner are 'Loud White Men For Kamala' in hilarious new video
October 30 2024 4:06 PM
Mark Robinson says children who are raped turn into 'monsters'
October 30 2024 12:56 PM
Trans icon Candy Darling's story is coming to the big screen
October 30 2024 12:56 PM