Law Homework Help

Westboro Baptist Church has gained notoriety in the past few years by staging protests at funerals.  Often they will protest at a military funeral because they oppose the war or because the military has changed its policy on gay servicemen and women.  Sometimes they will disrupt a funeral or wedding because they oppose a person or group’s political stance on abortion, gay marriage or another controversial issue.  Despite a distaste for protesting at a solemn and respectful occasions many people (judges included) have upheld their (the WBC’s) right to do so based on the First Amendment protection for freedom of speech. Others feel their right to voice their opinions in this way is outweighed by the family’s right to privacy (also protected by the Constitution) and they should not be allowed to continue. 

Read the following article from The Huffington Post (Links to an external site.) about an group that tries to stop the Westboro protestors from staging these events and write an original post explaining your opinion on the issue. (See also Snyder v. Phelps on page 80 of the textbook.) Compare the constitutional rights of the three groups (WBC, the group trying to stop them, the family of the deceased) and answer the following questions: 

• Whose rights are most important?  Can the Constitution protect everyone in this situation?
• If the courts try to prevent this type of speech are we in danger of losing our right to free speech altogether?

Write an original 200+ word post by Wednesday of the week the discussion is due.  In your post mention at least two things you have learned from the textbook or lectures on the topic.  Give your opinion on the issue in a clear and understandable manner. Always discuss any ethical issues that are involved. Cite any other sources you use when writing