CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The attorneys general from Maine and Virginia declined to sign on to an
amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, filed by AGs from 48 states and the District of Columbia,
condemning the Westboro Baptist Church's protest at a marine's funeral in 2006.
Albert Snyder, father of the late Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, is suing over protests the antigay church staged at his son's funeral, where its members proclaimed that war deaths are God's punishment for tolerance of gay people.
The brief was filed Tuesday, but missing was the backing of the attorneys general from Maine, Janet Mills, and Virginia, Kenneth Cuccinelli. The lawsuit has been filed against Fred Phelps, the notorious leader of the church.
Brian Gottstein, a spokesman for Cuccinelli, issued a statement explaining why Virginia did not join in the Snyder v. Phelps case. While the attorney general finds Phelps's actions "vile and despicable," Gottstein said in a statement, "the consequences of this case had to be looked at beyond what would happen just to Phelps and his followers."
This case could set a precedent that if protesters, "whether political, civil rights, pro-life, or environmental -- said something that offended the object of the protest to the point where the person felt damaged, the protesters could be sued." He added that the state already has a statute to order a $2,500 fine those who willfully disrupt a funeral or memorial service to the point of preventing or interfering with the orderly conduct of the event.
"So long as the protesters stay within the letter of the law, the Constitution protects their right to express their views," Gottstein said. "In Virginia, if Phelps or others attempt this repugnant behavior cross the line and violate the law, the attorney general's office stands ready to provide any assistance to local prosecutors to vindicate the law."
Mills, Maine's attorney general, also released a statement, saying that she declined to join the amicus brief because her office shies away from taking sides in civil cases.
"The utterances at issue in the Snyders' claim for damages were offensive and outrageous," she said in the statement. "But the First Amendment does not allow us to distinguish between polite speech and hateful or outrageous speech."
Mills also made an argument similar Cuccinelli's, saying that advancing this case could contribute to a slippery slope of carving away at the First Amendment. As with Virginia, Mills cites a state statute that was enacted to punish those who disturb the peace of funeral attendees.
"While some have questioned the patriotism of our office because we declined to join the amicus brief, just the opposite is true," Mills said. "Our families too have fought in battle. They fought for the constitutional rights of all our citizens, including Mr. Snyder and the Phelps [family]."
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
30 Steamy Photos of Folsom Street Fair 2023 Debauchery
October 15 2023 11:06 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
60 Burly Pics from Bearrison Street Fair 2022
October 08 2023 8:30 PM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Prince William's aversion to spectacle created one — and might spawn a King Harry
March 22 2024 6:24 PM
Outrage after Oklahoma prosecutor declines charges in Nex Benedict bullying death
March 22 2024 5:21 PM
George Santos leaves Republican Party, will run for House seat as independent
March 22 2024 4:07 PM
Catherine, Princess of Wales, announces she has cancer
March 22 2024 2:57 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedProhibition Wellness & revolutionizing self-care for all
March 22 2024 1:19 PM
Biden sacrifices LGBTQ+ Pride flags at U.S. embassies to pass 'critical' spending bill
March 22 2024 12:37 PM
Tennessee bill would permit anti-LGBTQ+ foster and adoptee parents
March 22 2024 11:54 AM
Plus
Yahoo Feed8 dating tips for gay men from a gay psychotherapist
March 22 2024 11:51 AM
Trans woman assailed during Kanye West's Rolling Loud set beats back 'bullies' (exclusive)
March 22 2024 11:34 AM
Out Congress members outraged as anti-LGBTQ+ bills advance
March 21 2024 6:59 PM
RuPaul shades 'masculine white gay men' who project 'internalized homophobia'
March 21 2024 5:43 PM
Alabama forces universities to implement trans bathroom ban while outlawing DEI
March 21 2024 3:55 PM
'Cruel' Nebraska senator investigated after using colleague's name in a rape scene
March 21 2024 3:51 PM
Police arrest Russian nightclub employees over drag show
March 21 2024 2:24 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedUnleash your fiery spirit with The Pride Store’s Aries gift guide
March 21 2024 2:08 PM
Cable news coverage of 2023 anti-trans bills lacked trans voices: Media Matters
March 21 2024 12:45 PM