Fred Phelps' Church Ordered to Pay $2.9 Million For Picketing Funeral

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 6:17pm

"A grieving father won a $2.9 million verdict today against a fundamentalist Kansas church that pickets military funerals out of a belief that the war in Iraq is a punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.

Albert Snyder of York, Pa., sued the Westboro Baptist Church for unspecified damages after members staged a demonstration at the March 2006 funeral of his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq.

Church members routinely picket funerals of military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, carrying signs such as "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "God hates fags."

A number of states have passed laws regarding funeral protests, and Congress has passed a law prohibiting such protests at federal cemeteries. But the Maryland lawsuit is believed to be the first filed by the family of a fallen serviceman."



http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/5262049.html

Updated On: 10/31/07 at 06:17 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 6:18pm

Excellent.

[iHeartMyGeek]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 6:20pm

'Bout damn time.

[tazber]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 6:20pm

Oh wow! This is the best news I have heard all week. I hope this fine bankrupts them.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 6:21pm

Halloween's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 6:22pm

Hehehe.

Must be those damn activist judges again.

GAY activist judges!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 6:24pm

Here's the AP story with more info (and yes, assuming it holds up on appeal, this verdict could bankrupt Phelps and his church):

"Phelps Clan Ordered To Pay $2.9M In Anti-Gay Military Suit

by The Associated Press

Posted: October 31, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET

(Baltimore, Maryland) A federal jury on Wednesday awarded the father of a fallen Marine $2.9 million in compensatory damages after finding an anti-gay Kansas church and three of its leaders liable for invasion of privacy and intent to inflict emotional distress for picketing the Marine's funeral in 2006.

The jury was to begin deliberating the size of punitive damages after receiving further instructions, although U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett noted the size of the compensatory award "far exceeds the net worth of the defendants," according to financial statements filed with the court.

Albert Snyder of York, Pa., sued the Westboro Baptist Church for unspecified monetary damages after members staged a demonstration at the March 2006 funeral of his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq.

Church members routinely picket funerals of military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, carrying signs such as "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "God hates fags."

A number of states have passed laws regarding funeral protests, and Congress has passed a law prohibiting such protests at federal cemeteries, but the Maryland lawsuit is believed to be the first filed by the family of a fallen serviceman.

Snyder's suit named the church, its founder the Rev. Fred Phelps and his two daughters Shirley Phelps-Roper and Rebecca Phelps-Davis, 46. The jury began deliberating Tuesday after two days of testimony.

The York, Pa. man claimed the protests intruded upon what should have been a private ceremony and sullied his memory of the event.

The church members testified they are following their religious beliefs by spreading the message that the deaths of soldiers are due to the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.

Their attorneys argued in closing statements Tuesday that the burial was a public event and that even abhorrent points of view are protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech and religion.

The judge said the church's financial statements, sealed earlier, could be released to the plaintiffs.

Earlier, church members staged a demonstration outside the federal courthouse, which is located on a busy thoroughfare a few blocks west of Baltimore's Inner Harbor, while passing motorists honked and shouted insults.

Church founder Fred Phelps held a sign reading "God is your enemy," while his daughter Shirley Phelps-Roper stood on an American flag while carrying a sign that read "God hates fag enablers." Members of the group sang "God Hates America,"' to the tune of "God Bless America."

Snyder sobbed when he heard the verdict while members of the church greeted the news with tightlipped smiles."

http://365gay.com/Newscon07/10/103107phelps.htm

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 6:32pm

This case reminds me of when (back in the 80s if I remember correctly) the KKK of North Carolina was successfully sued by a black family which had been driven from their home by the KKK (and I think their son was killed). The verdict completely bankrupted that KKK chapter, the Grand Imperial Wizard, his family and his minions and as part of the settlement, they had to turn over the deed to their headquarters to the black family. It effectively shut down the KKK in that part of the country as a result.


By the way, could someone explain how the military -- the homophobic US military -- is somehow in the eyes of the Phelps a "fag enabler" and thus deserves to be picketed?

[tazber]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 6:37pm

I had the same question when I first read they were picketing funerals of soldiers Margo.
Apparently they feel that the military is defending our freedoms, which (to Phelps) includes the right to be gay.

It doesn't make any logical sense.

[i*heart*fame]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 6:46pm

Isn't the whole point that nothing that they do makes any logical sense?

[EugLoven]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 7:22pm

You beat me to it, Margo

FINALLY! THE INSANITY OF

WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH IS

BEING PUNISHED!

CNN: Church ordered to pay $10.9 million for funeral protest
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/10/31/funeral.protests.ap/index.html

"A grieving father won a nearly $11 million verdict Wednesday against a fundamentalist Kansas church that pickets military funerals in the belief that the war in Iraq is a punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality."



* * *

Of course no amount of money can repair the emotional damage these ignorant and hateful people have done to thousands of people and families. But this is the step in the right direction.

The Westboro Baptist Church first made significant headlines after picketing at the funeral and trial of Matthew Shepard.

They have since been seen toting their disgusting neon signs all across America at funerals and trials of hundreds of gays and soldiers, and gay-friendly shows (like The Laramie Project) and programs; creating unbelievable amounts of distress.

I personally came face-to-face with these idiots back in 2002 following the cold-blooded murder of 17-year old transgender Eddie "Gwen" Araujo of Newark, CA. The filth these people spew and preach is the most vile thing you could ever imagine.

In spite of it all, I know their day will come when they look back at what they accomplished in the name of "God" and see where they truly end up.

Updated On: 10/31/07 at 07:22 PM

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 7:25pm

yay, rah, rah, the troglodytes must pay and all that.

to me this sets a horrible precedent.

remember how y'all celebrated this decision when the headline reads code pink ordered to pay millions for picketing outside walter reade or peta ordered to pay millions for protesting outside slaughterhouses or united for peace and justice ordered to pay millions for protesting in front of businesses on fifth avenue.

freedom of speech means exactly that, even when it's abhorrent.

the question is, will it get overturned before it gets to the supreme court or by the supreme court?

margo's mention of the klan case is different. people were forced from their homes under the threat of violence and murder had been done.

Updated On: 10/31/07 at 07:25 PM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 7:27pm

This makes me so happy, I did a little dance!

[DG]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 7:30pm

The first question I had was, "Where were they doing the protesting?"

As I understood things, they were granted the right to be vile, but it had to remain a certain number of feet away from the proceedings.

As someone who was at Matthew's funeral, and looked directly into the eyes of these . . . 'people', I can assure you I think they're of the Devil.

However, if they're following the guidelines, then it shouldn't be constrained. There's too much to lose in the long run.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 7:32pm

another reason why that horny bastard above me in the cape and i see eye to eye on much.

[EugLoven]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 7:32pm

I think you're missing the point, papalovesmambo

Walter Reade and slaughter-houses are businesses.

Westboro was at a private family funeral.

I think the jury's main decision lie on WHERE and HOW these people were picketing. Not for what CAUSE and against WHOM.

Of course it would be foolish of me to think the jury did not take into account personal feelings...

But unless you have actually SEEN and HEARD these people face-to-face like I have, and like "DG" above has... you don't understand.

There is something absolutely and inherently evil about these people. And what they create and cause you to feel down to your very core. And to ignore the way that makes someone feel (as bias a grounds as that may be) is not serving justice.

This was a funeral. For someone's son. I cannot even begin to imagine the absolute torment this caused on the family to have these hate-mongers there.

Law aside. There is something deeply deeply wrong here.

PETA and Code Pink have causes against a certain practice. This "church" has nothing but hate on their side.

Again, while opinions are valid... it really REALLY TRULY takes experiencing these people in person to have an OUNCE of an idea of what they do.
Updated On: 10/31/07 at 07:32 PM

[morosco]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 7:37pm

Jury awards father $11M in funeral case
Staff and agencies
31 October, 2007

By ALEX DOMINGUEZ, Associated Press Writer 2 minutes ago

BALTIMORE - A grieving father won a nearly $11 million verdict Wednesday against a fundamentalist Kansas church that pickets military funerals out of a belief that the war in Iraq is a punishment for the nation‘s tolerance of homosexuality.

The jury first awarded $2.9 million in compensatory damages. It returned later in the afternoon with its decision to award $6 million in punitive damages for invasion of privacy and $2 million for causing emotional distress.

BALTIMORE (AP) — A grieving father won a $2.9 million verdict Wednesday against a fundamentalist Kansas church that pickets military funerals out of a belief that the war in Iraq is a punishment for the nation‘s tolerance of homosexuality.

U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett noted the size of the award for compensating damages "far exceeds the net worth of the defendants," according to financial statements filed with the court. The jury was to deliberate later on punitive damages.

A number of states have passed laws regarding funeral protests, and Congress has passed a law prohibiting such protests at federal cemeteries. But the Maryland lawsuit is believed to be the first filed by the family of a fallen serviceman.

Snyder claimed the protests intruded upon what should have been a private ceremony and sullied his memory of the event.

Their attorneys argued in closing statements Tuesday that the burial was a public event and that even abhorrent points of view are protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech and religion.

Earlier, church members staged a demonstration outside the federal courthouse. Church founder Fred Phelps held a sign reading "God is your enemy," while Shirley Phelps-Roper stood on an American flag and carried a sign that read "God hates fag enablers." Members of the group sang "God Hates America" to the tune of "God Bless America."

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 7:39pm

I agree that even this vile churches' freedom of speech deserves to be protected. however, I agree that they should be forced to stay a certain distance from a funeral, which deserves privacy for the mourners.

I think Eug might be onto a fair distinction, but establishing a fair law on these matters is what's needed.

in the meantime, i'm thrilled to see this hateful 'church' get its due.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 7:40pm

This isn't over by a long shot. Phelps' dream is to get to the Supreme Court. $11 million? Yea, right.

[DG]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 7:40pm

Eug - but the constraints against distance were derived from demonstrations at private functions.

When I lived in central Illinois, I was 40 miles away from the headquarters of the American Nazi Party - and I got to witness firsthand crossburnings - in 1985!

I followed closely the development of court action concerning the rights of this group to demonstrate publically.

If there is ANY validity to our society's desire to allow freedom, then all this needs to be viewed with . . . a cautious eye. I certainly have drawn a personal line when violence is suggested. But these . . . 'people' seem to only spew their own projected hatred. I haven't seen an advocacy of out-and-out violence (like that proscribed by some Reggae artists.)

I just think we have to be careful of cutting off our nose to spite our face.

And that's even with the FLAMING hatred I have for these . . . 'people'.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 7:45pm

they maintain that they were 1,000 feet away that day. the law only requires them to be 100 feet away.
the baltimore sun

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 7:46pm

I can't wait for Mr. Phelps to die, so that I can tap dance happily on his grave.


And then poo on it.

[DG]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 7:47pm

Diva - trust me, his apples didn't fall far from the tree. And they're FULLY indoctrinated

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 7:49pm

a photo from the funeral showing the one of the protesters in their pen a ways back from the church. the law only requires 100 feet.



oh, it's getting overturned

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 10/31/07 at 7:51pm

Then he'll be the first one.