The United State Supreme Court ruled recently in the highly controversial case of Snyder v. Phelps; the case challenging the actions of Westboro Baptist Church protesters who picket at military funerals. The Court held that the protesters’ speech was protected by the First Amendment, and that therefore Rev. Phelps and the rest of those who protested at Matthew Snyder’s funeral could not be held civilly liable for intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Eight Justices agreed in the decision, with only Justice Samuel Alito dissenting. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, concluding that:
“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. On the facts before us, we cannot react to that pain by punishing the speaker. As a Nation we have chosen a different course—to protect even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate. That choice requires that we shield Westboro from tort liability for its picketing in this case.”
However, Justice Alito disagreed stating that:
“Our profound national commitment to free and open debate is not a license for the vicious verbal assault that occurred in this case.”
The full text of the Court’s opinion (including Justice Alito’s dissent) can be found here: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/10pdf/09-751.pdf
Original MSNBC article can be found here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41868004/ns/politics-more_politics/
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