Westboro Baptist Church: Difference between revisions
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In an 8–1 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Phelps on March 2, 2011. Chief Justice [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Roberts John Roberts] wrote the majority opinion stating: "What Westboro said, in the whole context of how and where it chose to say it, is entitled to 'special protection' under the First Amendment and that protection cannot be overcome by a jury finding that the picketing was outrageous."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ruling._135-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church#cite_note-Ruling.-135 [135]]</sup> Justice [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Alito Samuel Alito], the lone dissenter, said Snyder wanted only to "bury his son in peace". Instead, Alito said, the protesters "brutally attacked" Matthew Snyder to attract public attention. "Our profound national commitment to free and open debate is not a license for the vicious verbal assault that occurred in this case," he said. | In an 8–1 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Phelps on March 2, 2011. Chief Justice [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Roberts John Roberts] wrote the majority opinion stating: "What Westboro said, in the whole context of how and where it chose to say it, is entitled to 'special protection' under the First Amendment and that protection cannot be overcome by a jury finding that the picketing was outrageous."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ruling._135-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church#cite_note-Ruling.-135 [135]]</sup> Justice [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Alito Samuel Alito], the lone dissenter, said Snyder wanted only to "bury his son in peace". Instead, Alito said, the protesters "brutally attacked" Matthew Snyder to attract public attention. "Our profound national commitment to free and open debate is not a license for the vicious verbal assault that occurred in this case," he said. | ||
===Other legal responses=== | ===Other legal responses=== | ||
On July 14, 2006, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mundy_Township,_Michigan Mundy Township, Michigan] billed the WBC for $5,000. The Westboro church had informed township authorities on June 28 that a protest was planned at the Swartz Funeral Home. The bill to the church ensued, according to the local police chief, because the congregation failed to keep a verbal contract for security. Fred Phelps' daughter claimed that the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Ghost Holy Ghost] had informed them not to fly to Michigan even though they had already purchased airline tickets. Security at the Webb funeral was high; 15 fire trucks were involved, as well as numerous police officers from nearby jurisdictions. | On July 14, 2006, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mundy_Township,_Michigan Mundy Township, Michigan] billed the WBC for $5,000. The Westboro church had informed township authorities on June 28 that a protest was planned at the Swartz Funeral Home. The bill to the church ensued, according to the local police chief, because the congregation failed to keep a verbal contract for security. Fred Phelps' daughter claimed that the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Ghost Holy Ghost] had informed them not to fly to Michigan even though they had already purchased airline tickets. Security at the Webb funeral was high; 15 fire trucks were involved, as well as numerous police officers from nearby jurisdictions. The township has now stated that it will not pursue the matter. | ||
===Canadian entry ban=== | ===Canadian entry ban=== | ||
In August 2008, Canadian officials learned of the WBC's intent to stage a protest at the funeral of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg Winnipeg] man murdered on a bus. The protests intended to convey the message that the man's murder was God's response to Canadian laws permitting abortion, homosexuality, divorce and remarriage. In response, Canadian officials barred the church's members from entering the country.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-137">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church#cite_note-137 [137]]</sup> | In August 2008, Canadian officials learned of the WBC's intent to stage a protest at the funeral of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg Winnipeg] man murdered on a bus. The protests intended to convey the message that the man's murder was God's response to Canadian laws permitting abortion, homosexuality, divorce and remarriage. In response, Canadian officials barred the church's members from entering the country.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-137">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church#cite_note-137 [137]]</sup> | ||