Supreme Court Takes On Protests At Military Funerals

20:54

October 06, 2010

Margie Phelps, right, and Shirley Phelps-Roper of the Westboro Baptist Church, speak in front of the Supreme Court. (AP)

The United States Supreme Court is considering whether a fundamentalist Christian church has the right to stage hate-filled protests at military funerals under the First Amendment. For years, the Westboro Baptist Church from Topeka, Kansas, has picketed soldiers' funerals across the country — including in Massachusetts — carrying signs with messages such as "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for Dead Soldiers." As oral arguments begin today in court, we examine the line between free speech and hate speech.

Guests:

Bob Sherman, attorney with the law firm Greenberg Traurig
Mark Seavey, attorney and new media director of the America Legion

This program aired on October 6, 2010.