I recently read the Snyder Vs. Phelps Case, which dealt with Westboro Church picketing the funeral of a Marine named Snyder. The family made a case against the church claiming they had no right to do such a thing and that they had committed "an invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress" (Oyez, 2014). Based on the ruling, it stated that Congress could not take away Westboro's right to free speech, granting them access to future funerals because they cannot be stopped when it comes to their First Amendments Right.
However, what is to stop the picketing from being picketed?
While I don't agree with Westboro's methods or beliefs, I will agree that everyone has their right to free speech (no matter how ugly or belligerent it may be). I will also say that, because of the freedom of speech, other people have the right to stand against Westboro and what they picket against. Ironically, Westboro doesn't seem to grasp that while they were granted the OK by Congress because of the First Amendment, they have to let others picket as well because of their free speech rights.
In the recent death of their reverend, Ron Phelps, Westboro asked the general public not to picket his funeral. When protesters against these infamous picketers lined up down the blocks with anti-Westboro signs during the funeral procession, Westboro decided to sue them. (Read the full article here: http://nationalreport.net/westboro-baptist-church-suing-funeral-protesters-fred-phelps/) Now Westboro is directly at the viewpoint of Snyder; they are upset about others slandering and inflicting emotional distress (Oyez, 2014) onto mourners of the deceased. Their words and behavior has lashed back out at them and they do not understand how to handle it. 'Ain't no rest for the pickets', right? "'I think it’s pretty ironic that this so called church is making these outrageous threats of a lawsuit,' said human rights activist Sarah Winters. 'The Westboro Baptist Church is known for their actions against gay people; picketing is what they do. They hide behind the 1st Amendment and free speech and now that the tables have been turned they don’t want any part of it'" (National Report, 2014).
As Citizens of the United States, it is important to remember that, while we have the ability to say whatever we want because of our First Amendment rights, we should have the decency to refrain from using such harsh language and abrasive actions as they can just as easily be used against us or onto us. What Westboro doesn't understand is that they cannot simply hide behind the Freedom of Speech right to slander others and then proceed to cry about how others are doing it right back to them. People should have the decency to let people mourn the loss of their loved ones and, even if they are to picket, it is a right to stand up for what you believe in but it should be civilized. If I were ever to picket, I would still use decency and kindness to approach a solution rather than using harsh and vulgar language (even if most of my spoken vocabulary was sailor-like). You may have the ability to stand up for what you believe in, but there is a time and place for it as well as common decency that must remain.
The Snyder vs. Phelps case is a reminder of such. Congress may have sided with Freedom of Speech,but as Justice Samuel Alito stated, "Our profound national commitment to free and open debate is not a license for the vicious verbal assault that occurred in this case" (Oyez, 2014).
No comments:
Post a Comment