Snyder v. Phelps
The Court Upholds the Right to Protest at Military Funerals
Synder v. Phelps was featured in Protesting Military Funerals, Supreme Court Debates (Nov. 2010). The following is excerpted from the summary of the majority opinion written by Chief Justice Roberts, as prepared by the Court Reporter of Decisions: The First Amendment shields Respondent Westboro [Baptist Church] from tort liability for its picketing in this case. The Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment can serve as a defense in State tort suits, including suits for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Whether the First Amendment prohibits holding Westboro liable for its speech in this case turns largely on whether that speech…
