For many parents their worst nightmare is to live long enough to see their own children die. For the Snyder family, this nightmare came true when their son died in Iraq in the March of 2006. As they morn for their sons death, a group of people from Westboro Baptist Church disrupted the peaceful funeral by shouting and holding signs of hatred. It is a protest in the middle of a funeral where protesters are yelling and holding signs that say “Thank God for dead soldiers” and “God hates fags”.
This is noting new for families that are morning for their sons who died in Iraq. This group has protested in hundreds of funerals for slain soldiers. They not only got the attention of the families but national attention as well. The majority of the population disapprove what they are doing. It even caused heated debates on CNN.
As a result of the protest the Snyder sued the Westboro Baptist Church for emotional damages that they caused to family and friends; and invasion of privacy. The jury awarded the Snyder family over $11 million for the damages that the protesters have cause.
The church members testified they are following their religious beliefs by spreading the message that soldiers are dying because the nation is too tolerant of homosexuality. They also say that the 1st amendment gives them the right of free speech and the right to protest.
They do have the right to protest and the right of free speech , but the right is not absolute. In the case Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47, 39 S.Ct. 247, 63 L.Ed.2d. (1919) the Supreme Court limited the freedom of speech. This case made it illegal for someone to yell “fire” in a crowded movie theater because there is a “clear and present danger”. For the protestors of the Westboro Baptist Church, they are yelling words that can cause a major conflict between the protestors and the family. It can result in fighting, riots, or people getting killed. It can also cause emotional injuries to people who are going through difficult times.
The protesters are also violating the right of privacy. The funeral is suppose to be a private service for the family. A funeral is for families and friends, not for someone to preach their views of hatred. This is almost like going to a little kids birthday party not to celebrate, but to protest the war in Iraq. A party is time to celebrate and a funeral is a time to morn. A protest should be done without disrupting someone’s privacy.
A new group called “Patriot Guard Riders” was created because of what was going on. Their job is to keep protestors away from the funeral. They have been a real help to grieving families. They not only keep the protestors out, but they play patriotic music to drown out the cruel words of the protestors and they block their signs by putting up the American flag in front of the protestors. They are the heroes and should be recognized for it.
Laws should be passed that prohibits people from protesting during funerals. The people of Westboro Baptist church should be ashamed of themselves. I hope that other families who have been terrorized by this group, will follow Snyder’s family and sue them for the emotional damage that they have caused. It is not for the money but to make them stop so that it wont happen again. Something has to be done about them. If these people don’t like the American policies then protest in front of a government building, not during a funeral for a slain soldier. If you still don’t like the country then get out to make room for the millions who wants to be an American.
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