Many of you have likely heard Gold Star Father Albert Snyder’s story as it recently gained significant media coverage. His ongoing legal battle with Fred Phelps, the leader of Kansas' Westboro Baptist Church, continues with a recent decision ordering Albert Snyder to pay over $16,000 to Fred Phelps.
Westboro Baptist Church held a protest at the funeral of Albert Snyder's son, Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder, in 2006. That same year, the Snyder family filed a civil lawsuit against the Westboro Baptist Church to "bring an end to the reign of terror and abuse” they inflict upon grieving families of U.S. servicemembers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This story is one to follow as it affects Gold Star families and the case has now made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The high court agreed to consider whether the protesters' message is protected by the First Amendment or limited by the competing privacy and religious rights of the mourners.
We compiled a partial list of articles, as well as the recent decision from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, for your review so you can stay informed.
See below to learn more about Albert Snyder v. Fred W. Phelps, Sr.
Click here to visit Matthew Snyder.org.
Click here to view the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit’s Opinion.
March 30, 2010: Man ordered to pay appeal costs of protesters at his son’s funeral
March 30, 2010: O’Reilly Pays Legal Bill for Fallen Marine’s Father
March 30, 2010: Marine’s Father Will Not Pay Court-Ordered Funeral Protesters’ Fees
March 31, 2010: Public Rallies to Marine Dad’s Support
April 5, 2010: Snyder-Phelps fight has many twists, turns
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