As the United States Supreme Court opens its doors for business on this first Monday in October, court watchers are anxiously awaiting oral arguments, scheduled to begin this Wednesday, in the matter of Snyder v. Phelps, 533 F. Supp. 2d 567 (2008) – a case that promises to be the most important matter to come before the court during the 2010-2011 session.
The dispute arises out of a protest march conducted by members of the Westboro Baptist Church outside a church where a funeral was being conducted for Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder, a Marine killed in the line of duty in Iraq.
The protesters, led by their ‘eccentric’ pastor, Fred Phelps Sr., carried signs and shouted slogans such as “Semper Fi fags”, “Thank God for dead soldiers”, “Pope in hell,” and “Fag troops” as mourners arrived at the church to attend the funeral.
Full Story: SCOTUS Set To Make First Amendment History – Rick Ungar – The Policy Page – Forbes