Dead Marine's Father Sues Anti-Gay Protesters

[Karenca]

Dead Marine's Father Sues Anti-Gay Protesters

6:21 pm EDT June 5, 2006

<snip> GREENBELT, Md. -- The father of a Marine whose funeral was picketed by anti-gay protesters from a fundamentalist Kansas church filed an invasion-of-privacy suit against the demonstrators Monday.
It is believed to be the first lawsuit brought by a soldier's family against Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., whose members routinely demonstrate at military funerals around the country, including several in Oklahoma.
Albert Snyder of York, Pa., the father of Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder, is seeking unspecified damages. The younger Snyder, 20, died March 3 after an accident in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. He was buried in Westminster, Md.
"We think it's a case we can win because anyone's funeral is private," Snyder lawyer Sean Summers said. "You don't have a right to interrupt someone's private funeral."
Members of Westboro say the military deaths in Iraq are God's punishment for America's tolerance of gays. They typically carry signs with slogans such as "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for IEDs," a reference to the roadside bombs used by insurgents.
The church has inspired dozens of state laws banning funeral protests, including a Maryland law that did not go into effect until after Snyder's memorial.
Shirley Phelps-Roper, a spokeswoman for the small congregation, said it is the first time Westboro has been sued by a soldier's family.
"We were exercising our First Amendment rights," she said.<snip>

http://www.local6.com/news/9324216/detail.html

[BOSSHOG]

1. Oh please, shirley phelps roper, come to my funeral

You'll learn what constitutional liberties are all about.

[Turbineguy]

2. Just remind me:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

Does not the Constitution serve to define the relationship with ordinary persons and the Government and not eachother which would be covered under commercial and contract law (OK, all you Legal Types!)?

In a stretch the Westboro people could protest at a Federal Cemetary where someone is being burried at government expense. They would certainly be within their rights to picket in front of the Capitol or the White House.

[mike_c]

3. interrupting "someone's private funeral..."

As long as the demonsration was held on public property or with permission on private property, I don't see how this suit can win. I've said before-- demonstrating OUTSIDE someone's funeral is tacky as hell, but it's legal and protected by the Constitution. And it should be, regardless of the message. I look forward to holding up a sign outside Bush's funeral some day because it's my right to use that occasion to draw attention to the crimes of his administration. Some things are worth being tacky for-- and that protection applies to Phelps' hate filled gasbags as much as to me.

There is no "right to a private funeral" in a public space. It simply doesn't exist.

[Solo_in_MD]

4. And so are counter protest, like the Patriot Guard Riders

One of the few good uses for straight pipes on a street motorcycle

[mike_c]

5. yep....

eom