Though the 1st Amendment guarantees freedom of speech to all American citizens, poisoning the peace of military funerals with slogans such as “Thank God for Dead Soldiers” shouldn’t be under its protection. The Supreme Court has finalized its decision with an 8-1 vote, claiming that the church members were within their constitutional rights. This case has been revolutionary in that it has—though to much public outcry—reaffirmed the power of the 1st Amendment.
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was the only member of the Court to disagree with the decision, claiming that the actions of the Westboro Baptist Church were emotionally damaging and hurtful. Since the announcement of the Supreme Court’s decision, most of the fifty states in the United States have already declared funeral protesting as a violation of federal law. Nearly half of all US senators have jumped on the bandwagon and voiced their disagreements with the Court ruling.
This so-called “church” has attempted to validate its actions by declaring that the protests are just bringing awareness of America’s punishment by God for tolerating homosexuality. The Westboro Baptist Church has also stated that they will not cease the protesting and that there will be more in the future.
So whether you have a dissenting opinion on the Supreme Court’s decision, or you strongly support it, the importance of this case is unquestionable. It has caused a significant change in the way we view the rights of military families and the “right” to protest.