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Free Speech

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Free Speech
In recent times there have been protests at military funerals by a church group from Texas. This church has also been protesting the homosexual agenda that has lead a court ruling that they can get married. That marriage in all its forms is allowed whether it is between a man and a woman, or a same sex couple. This church leads these protests with signs that “destruction is imminent” or “USA = Fag Nation.” This has people in an uproar about the church and its use of their freedom of speech. They want this church to be banned from protesting and spreading their hate across the nation. But under the first amendment they are protected and allowed the freedom to do just what makes them unpopular.
In 2010 the Westboro Baptist Church traveled to Maryland to picket the funeral of Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq in the line of duty. The father of the deceased took them to court citing intentional infliction of emotional distress, intrusion upon seclusion, and civil conspiracy. The local court ruled in favor of the father assigning damages to be paid to him. This was upheld in another court, but the damages were reduced. The Westboro Church went to the 4th circuit court for another appeal and the ruling was overturned, the court stated that “Westboro’s statements were entitled to First Amendment protection because those statements were on matters of public concern, were not provably false, and were expressed solely through hyperbolic rhetoric.”
Despite the plea to the courts to stop the actions performed by the Westboro Baptist Church, the courts declined any penalties or stopping any actions they would take. They are sticking to the laws as they are now, unless the laws are changed to not allow these types of things to happen they will continue. I think these protests are deplorable and show an extreme that most Americans do not

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