1st Amendment protects military funeral protesters

[The King]

Unlikely.

Only way to verify that is for him to try it.

[YALE]

Aren't they a legally defined hate-speech group yet? Can't a municipality refuse them a right to protest without a permit? Or better yet, grant them a free permit, and designate where they can protest? I'd give them a permit to protest in an alley downtown, and block off the entrances and exits with city work trucks.

EDIT: I just heard Justice Roberts' opinion is that laws governing time and location of speech are neutral, so technically you could restrict them to any distance or location deemed appropriate. Yes!

[OreoStang]

Although I don't agree with how the church did this free speech is one of the greatest gifts in America. I don't agree with homosexuality but that gives me no right to judge. That is up to the lord almighty himself. Those church people will get theres.

[jasone]

counter protest those mo fo's

[Sean88gt]

This is such bullshit!

Freedom of speech crosses a line when you cause distress in another human being.

Sadly, you're ignorant of the 1st amendment.

NO WHERE does it guarantee the right to not be offended. If speech goes too far and is regulated then it really isn't free. The Westboro Baptist bags of shit are reprehensible, but out of the justices, Alito was in the wrong.

This is as clear as I can say it, in a free society you have to accept the good with the bad.

[Rick Modena]

They would ask you for an ID and then say you didn't identify yourself fast enough and arrest you. Everyone knows that you don't really have free speech around the police since they can just make up circumstances to turn you into a criminal...

"He was a danger to himself and/or others!"

Damn son, you took the words right out of my mouth. They will arrest the sane people and let these morons get away with bullshit like this.

[Broncojohnny]

Next time Westboro is in town we should all dress up like Satan and go down there and hang out with them.

"Satan loves Westboro Baptist Church!"

[diablo rojo]

Why can't they prosecute it as a hate crime. I understand the issue of freedom of speech, but in each case these "protests" are uniquely aimed at individuals when they are the most vulnerable.

[lowthreeohz]

Why can't they prosecute it as a hate crime. I understand the issue of freedom of speech, but in each case these "protests" are uniquely aimed at individuals when they are the most vulnerable.

Because there's no crime being committed. We're afforded the right to free speech, and the right to gather and protest. It's a double edged sword, but one that is necessary.

[jdgregory84]

The only problem I have with this (other than the obvious lack of respect these people show) is that other people have been sued for things they have said. This is just fresh in my mind since I watched Food Inc. last week. Oprah spent over a million dollars for saying she wouldn't eat another hamburger when she was sued by the beef industry. She won her judgement, but if freedom of speech was really protected by the constitution, she shouldn't have had to pay to defend her right to excercise it.

[diablo rojo]

Because there's no crime being committed. We're afforded the right to free speech, and the right to gather and protest. It's a double edged sword, but one that is necessary.

If I stood in the street in my neighborhood and yelled profanities and biggotry, the cops would arrest me for disturbing the peace.

[bcoop]

The only problem I have with this (other than the obvious lack of respect these people show) is that other people have been sued for things they have said. This is just fresh in my mind since I watched Food Inc. last week. Oprah spent over a million dollars for saying she wouldn't eat another hamburger when she was sued by the beef industry. She won her judgement, but if freedom of speech was really protected by the constitution, she shouldn't have had to pay to defend her right to excercise it.

X FUCKING 2222222222!

I couldn't possibly agree more.

[talisman]

I agree with Al, and seeing as he is the second smartest mofo on this site behind me, it should come as no surprise.

[jdgregory84]

Because there's no crime being committed. We're afforded the right to free speech, and the right to gather and protest. It's a double edged sword, but one that is necessary.

That's the thing, who actually CAN afford free speech?

[Sleeper]

Sure it sucks they do what they do.

The only thing that can be done and not violate anyone's rights is let them have their permit to protest. Just make that permit 250 miles away from any funeral procession. This could be wrote into law.