WASHINGTON – In a strong reaffirmation of First Amendment principles, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday that no matter how offensive, the virulent anti-gay demonstrations staged by the Westboro Baptist Church at military funerals are protected free speech.
The Court ruled, 8-1, in Snyder v. Phelps, 09-751, that under the First Amendment, the church and its members could not be held liable for the infliction of emotional distress in a tort suit brought by Albert Snyder, the father of a Marine killed in Iraq whose funeral in Maryland was picketed by members of the Kansas church.
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