So I was reading

I was reading the Constitution today and the First Amendment says:


Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.


Now it says they can't prohibit the right of people to peaceably assemble. What the Westboro Church is doing is not allowing military families to bury their fallen in peace, so how can what they're doing be legal? Maybe I'm misinterpreting something?

 

First, I think the Westboro Church members are SCUM. Had to get that out of the way.

The word "peaceably" is the key here. The fact they are vocal and obnoxious may not cross over the legal definition of peaceable.

That's the only thing that makes sense to me.

But I totally disagree with it from a moral standpoint...

 

The Constitution only limits the GOVERNMENT and it limits the government equally. So in this case- despite the morally and socially repugnant ideology they stand for....The gov't can not restrict them from doing what they do.

And the actions the WBC takes are a VERY closely watched and scripted plan. They walk VERY close to the edge of legality in order to tempt/taunt someone else doing something illegal and then they sue. Most of the family that makes up that "chruch" are lawyers...Just shows you what they really have in mind.

They are douche bags of the highest degree IMHO...

 

Man I just wish somebody would find SOMETHING that makes what they do illegal. Anything.

 

Best defense is groups like the American Legion, Patriot Guard, and large, supportive communities. Local governments that approve protest sites miles away from the parade route or not at all...