{"id":32439,"date":"2012-10-17T11:35:32","date_gmt":"2012-10-17T15:35:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/valorguardians.com\/blog\/?p=32439"},"modified":"2012-10-17T11:46:14","modified_gmt":"2012-10-17T15:46:14","slug":"8th-circuit-reverses-panel-on-westboro-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/?p=32439","title":{"rendered":"8th Circuit reverses panel on Westboro decision"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2007, Manchester, Missouri wrote an ordinance in response to the spate of protests at funerals by the Westboro “Baptist Church” group which took to protesting at soldiers’ funerals. A three-judge panel had previously forbade the town from enforcing their law, but the 8th Circuit overturned that panel’s decision, according to the Associated Press<\/a>; <\/p>\n

A lawsuit claiming the Manchester ordinance violated free speech rights was filed by Shirley Phelps-Roper, a Westboro member and daughter of pastor Fred Phelps.<\/p>\n

The Manchester ordinance allows for protest activities but with limitations. Among them: Protesters are not allowed within 300 feet (100 meters) of a funeral or burial service while it is occurring and for one hour before and one hour after.<\/p>\n

Eighth Circuit Judge Diana Murphy wrote that the ordinance “serves a significant government interest, it is narrowly tailored, and it leaves open ample alternative channels for communication.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In case you missed it, here’s some video of a soldier who liberated a defaced American flag from some Westboro fags at a funeral for SGT Donna Johnson in Raeford, NC<\/a> this past weekend. Probably a poor decision for Westboro to protest near Fort Bragg. All reports are that the soldier was released without being charged.<\/p>\n