On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment protects the rights of groups to protest at military funerals.
Members of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, KA. regularly protest military funerals.
The Court decided the protesters has a right to be where they were. Protesters were 1000 feet fromt he funeral, and protested quietly and without violence.
Chief Justice, John Roberts, said that the protesters' speech "cannot be restriced simply because it is upsetting or arouses contempt."
Roberts wrote that "Debate on public issues should be robust, uninhibited, and wide-open because speech on public issues occupies the highest rung of the hierarchy of First Amendment values."
What do you think?
A soldier has just died, why don't these people honor his fighting instead of protesting. It is very rude how these people attend a mournful event to protest. These people should maybe think about the families who have just lost a loved one.
ReplyDeleteThis is greatly upsetting to me. The thought of protesting at a funeral of someone who fought for the country is appalling! It doesn't get anymore disrespectful than that! Although I understand it is a freedom of speech issue, people should have more common sense, sympathy, and compassion towards other humans who are experiencing times of distress and great sorrow. How would the protesters feel if someone protested at a funeral of one of their loved ones?
ReplyDeleteHow can someone stand outside of a funeral to protest?! I mean if it was their relative how would they feel about people protesting. It's a funeral! They should respect those who have passed away and sacrificed their lives; not saying whether the war is good or bad. I think it is very disrespectful for those who are depressed and mourning for their family or friend. So i definately agree wit ali as well.
ReplyDeleteI think protestors are find to protest and have their own opinions, as long as it isn't at a personal event such as this one. When a death occurs, their honor should be promoted, not any protest because of their life. I think it is sad that those protestors think this is a good idea. They are free to oppose the war, but why at funerals?? It is suprising that they find this to be accepting. They can protest all they want -- just stay out of other's personal events! I feel bad for the families and friends of those solidiers. They should be remembered postively, not with protest. They sacrficed their life for those protestors, show some respect!
ReplyDeletei think its absolutely ridiculous that people are trying to protest at a funeral. i mean come on. a loved one was lost and they fought for your freedom to protest and be an american, and all you want to do is protest at the day of his/her death?! that rubs me the wrong way. especially when i have family in the military.
ReplyDeleteThat is so disrespectful to protest at a funeral. People are grieving over a dead loved one, and if you want to protest the war, do it somewhere else!
ReplyDeleteBAM that's the sound in your head when you think of me punching these protesters in the face i mean seriously the people that protect your country shouldn't get a dishonorable good bye
ReplyDeleteso horrible
It is very disrespectful what these people are doing, its disrespectful to the diseaced and the family. THink if you were a family member at the funeral and these people are protesting, it would ruin it and make you feel awful. It is wrong and they should be ashamed
ReplyDeleteC'mon people that wanna protest at funerals.. If i wasn't for that dead guy in there, and many other people just like him, you would prolly still be planting corn for the king of Great Britian. And plus, you wouldn't have the freedom to protest anything, because you would be locked up immediatly. And thats just downright disrespectful, and disgusting in my mind.
ReplyDeleteNo way this is so unbelievably STUPID! Do people not know what respect is and to have some for these peoples families? People should just have respect for them that they are out there doing something that these protesters dont wanna. this is so stupid. NOT OKAY!
ReplyDeleteI think that this is very wrong. There is a soldier that died fighting for you and your going to protest at his funeral. I think they should be glad that someone was willing to go and fight for them.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is very stupid that they protested at a military funeral. Protesting at a military funeral is disrespectful, and to think the families are grieving while others are protesting. However, it is hard to know where to draw the line for freedom of speech.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why people would want to protest. I mean what if it was one of their family mambers? Would they feel the same way? I think I would personally be offended if I was at a friend's funeral and saw protestors. I mean I think they would have something better to do than protest at a funeral. Why have the family experience anymore pain from readable signs that are 1000 feet away. It's pretty rude in my mind.
ReplyDeletei cant even imagein how angry i would get if i was at a funeral, military or not, and people started to protest. i mean i have no problem with people who are outspoken but why do u need to disrespect a man or woman who just died protecting your right to protest?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Laura..where do you know to draw the line? However this IS a VERY disrespectful thing to do! People should just have common sense NOT to disresepct others at a military funeral!
ReplyDeleteI cant believe people do this. Someone has just died you should be honoring this person. If you want to protest do it somewhere else not at a funeral where people are grieving over a loved one. It is very disrespectful.
ReplyDeleteHow do people think it is okay to protest at someone's funeral who just put their life at risk for our country? It's not right. At all. It's disrespectful. I do understand that it is a freedom of speech and it's in our constitution that they can do it, but to me it seems morally wrong. People are grieving, and at an emotional state. The last thing they want to see is protestors.
ReplyDeleteEven though the Supreme court said that the protesting is protected by the First Amendment this is still wrong and inhumane to protest at a grieving families funeral. These people have no right whatsoever protesting for it is disrespectful in every aspect that is human.
ReplyDeleteI think this is stupid because these people are willing to die for our country i think people should open their eyes and look at whats going on and not care JUST ABOUT THEM}}}}}}}........
ReplyDeleteThis is wrong, people shouldn't be able to come to some families funeral and protest. The solider should be able to get buried in peace and not have some idiots come in and make noise dearing some poor soliders funeral. These soliders put their lifes on the line for our country to keep those disrespectful people alive.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't think they should be protesting at the funerals like this. If they want to voice their opinion they should not do it at the funeral where people are grieving for their lost life. Even with the court allowing the people to do this, I think the people should have enough respect to not protest like that at the funerals.
ReplyDeletethis is also stupid because these people gave their life for are country they did not have to do this. the least we can do is give them a little privacy at their funeral i mean come on if i was that guy i would come back from the dead and kick some ass.
ReplyDeletethese people need to get beaten up! they are so dumb, why are they protesting at a funeral of a dead soldier. thats just unthinkable. besides it is not the soldiers fault that they are over fighting for those protesters freedoms. they should be protesting the gov. for sending the soldiers over there. dumbies
ReplyDeleteI do not think that these people should be protesting at a funeral! If you want to protest do it at the respectful and appropriate time. Not at a funeral when loved ones are mounring the death of someone who was fighting for our freedom and our country. It just doesn't seem right to be doing what they are doing. I would be upset if someone was at the funeral protesting the person that I was attening the funeral for. Ridiculous! Have some respect people.
ReplyDeleteI think that you shouldn't be able to protest, and you should pay your respects. That soldier died to protect you and to keep your freedom in check
ReplyDelete