Anti gay funeral protests

Albert Snyder says he is not done fighting the Westboro Baptist Church and the emotional strain its anti-gay, anti-military protests cause families at private funerals. The U. Supreme Court ruled on March 2 that the church is constitutionally protected when it demonstrates at military funerals.

Facts Fred Phelps and his followers at the Westboro Baptist Church believe that God punishes the United States for its tolerance of homosexuality, particularly within the military. The nation's high court ruled to uphold the free speech rights of a controversial group of religious protesters known for anti-gay rhetoric at military funerals.

To demonstrate their beliefs, Phelps and his followers often picket at military funerals. Protests done by Westboro Baptist Church are characterized by desecration of the American flag, hate speech said by members to onlookers, and members holding signs with predominantly homophobic and anti-American statements.

The Maryland man who lost his year-old Marine son Matthew in Iraq in has fought the church in the court system after Westboro members picketed the fallen lance corporal's funeral five years ago. And I know Matt would be supporting this percent because he wouldn't want to see another family go through what we went through.

Snyder asked Legionnaires to contact their lawmakers and ask them to introduce legislation that would legally restrict the church from disrupting funerals. American Legion Riders and members of the Patriot Guard commonly provide security at funerals the church plans to picket.

The case ended early this month in the U. Supreme Court. Press Release. I know one person who has been with me through this whole time; Matt was a very loyal son; he was a very loyal friend and brother. Church members typically hold up signs with slogans like "God Hates You" and "Fags Doom Nations" to impart its belief that military deaths are God's punishment for America's tolerance of homosexuality.

It is the protesting of military funerals that led to the organization receiving much attention for its small size. Snyder's legal team has worked on a pro-bono basis, but costs mounted. The case drew national attention, pitting the First Amendment against a family's right to grieve in private.

In an vote, the justices decided that the First Amendment protects members of the fundamentalist Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., who stage anti-gay protests outside military and other. Judy Woodruff talks with.