Marine's Father Sues Funeral Protesters

[Woodmonkey]

Marine's Father Sues Funeral Protesters

GREENBELT, Md. (AP) -- The father of a Marine whose funeral was picketed by anti-gay protesters from a fundamentalist Kansas church filed an invasion-of-privacy suit against the demonstrators Monday.

It is believed to be the first lawsuit brought by a soldier's family against Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., whose members routinely demonstrate at military funerals around the country.

Albert Snyder of York, Pa., the father of Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder, is seeking unspecified damages. The younger Snyder, 20, died March 3 after an accident in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. He was buried in Westminster, Md.

''We think it's a case we can win because anyone's funeral is private,'' Snyder lawyer Sean Summers said. ''You don't have a right to interrupt someone's private funeral.''

Members of Westboro say the military deaths in Iraq are God's punishment for America's tolerance of gays. They typically carry signs with slogans such as ''God Hates ****'' and ''Thank God for IEDs,'' a reference to the roadside bombs used by insurgents.

The church has inspired dozens of state laws banning funeral protests, including a Maryland law that did not go into effect until after Snyder's memorial.

Shirley Phelps-Roper, a spokeswoman for the small congregation, said it is the first time Westboro has been sued by a soldier's family.

''We were exercising our First Amendment rights,'' she said.

The Source

[Forlorn Hope]

I hope Synder's lawsuit is successful.

I wonder if the Members of Westboro church could be seen as trespassers as well.

[KBay84]

By God, I hope that Mr. Snyder takes them to the wall and hurts them BAD! It is a disgrace to humanity when *people* can protest ANY funeral, making a mockery of a very private and personal time. I also hope that others step up to the plate and launch a mass attack on this excuse for a church. Of ALL the churches to be burned, this one certainly should have been torched.

[Woodmonkey]

Now that the first family has filed a lawsuit against these religious extremists, maybe others will. This family has thrived by filing lawsuits against people it has provoked into attacking them, now the tables are turned.

[Scrappy]

It's hard for me to find words not already used. I'm glad someone's taking legal action (intstead of beating them with their own signs). I wonder if they think, using thier reasoning, that was why Hitler killed Jews (among many others) and allied soldiers were killed in such numbers during WWII. I know they probably wouldn't say that, but it is thier thought process.

All in all, they will be before Him, and they will be judged, and may not get a "well done my good and faithful servant". It's just sad to see them act this in the here and now. At one time, what they're doing would have drove me farther away from God.

[Woodmonkey]

Originally Posted by Scrappy

At one time, what they're doing would have drove me farther away from God.

I'm sure they're doing that with others.

[scotto]

Originally Posted by Scrappy

At one time, what they're doing would have drove me farther away from God.