The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), listed as a “hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center, filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court on its efforts to picket the funerals of dead American soldiers.

U.S. Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder, of Finksburg, Maryland - Died in Iraq

York Daily News reports that on July 7, 2010 “Members of the Westboro Baptist Church filed their response today with the U.S. Supreme Court to a petition by Albert Snyder asking the court to restore a $5 million verdict against the Rev. Fred Phelps and members of his congregation.”

“In their petition, the Phelpses are asking the court to uphold a 4th U.S. Circuit court of appeals ruling that overturned the jury verdict. The Phelpses said the 4th Circuit was correct to say their speech – protesting Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder’s 2006 funeral outside a Westminster, Md., Catholic Church and writing about Snyder on Westboro’s website – was protected under the First Amendment.”

….

“Albert Snyder, of Spring Garden Township, has said the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church invaded his privacy and intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon his family in their protest. His attorneys laid out their argument for the Supreme Court in briefs filed May 25. Supporters – including attorneys general for 48 states, a collection of U.S. senators, and several veterans organizations – filed amicus briefs a week later.”

“The court is expected to hear oral arguments in October.”

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See other R.E.A.L. postings on the Christian extremist “hate group” Westboro Baptist Church.

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In March 30, 2010, R.E.A.L reported on”Father Of Dead Marine Ordered To Pay Legal Fees Of Westboro Baptist Church “Hate Group” Protesters”

Father Of Dead Marine Ordered To Pay Legal Fees Of Westboro Baptist Church Protesters
— Who Picketed His Son’s Funeral
— the “Westboro Baptist Church” is on the list of “hate groups” by the Southern Poverty Law Center

— The Snyder family is seeking donations to help them continue their suit.

— Synder family states: “Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder, of Finksburg, Maryland, died from a non combat-related vehicle accident in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to Combat Service Support Group-1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California. Died on March 3, 2006. Matthew was 20 years old.”

“The family of Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder, US Marine Corps, has begun this civil lawsuit* against Mr. Phelps and certain members of the so-called Westboro Baptist Church to bring an end to the reign of terror and abuse that they inflicted upon the grieving families of US service members killed in defense of our nation. Using innocent children to deliver their twisted message of hatred and fear, the defendants in this suit have sought to attack the memory of our departed heroes, to strip their loved ones of their dignity, and to use abuse and intimidation as a tool for preventing surviving family members from reaching closure over their loss.”

See also:

Facebook: “I support Al Snyder in His fight against Westboro Baptist Church”

Supreme Court to rule on protests at military funerals by “Westboro Baptist Church” “hate group”

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) urges all to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.