While in the Court of Appeals, Phelps’s argument was that the First Amendment protected their judgment. Court of Appeals agreed to Westboro’s primary argument that the church was entitled to judgment as a matter of law because the First Amendment protects Westboro’s speech. The Court says the picket signs were also protected under the First Amendment, because the statements deal with public concern. The jury could not find Westboro
The Fourth Circuit contradicted the District Courts, concluding that Westboro’s statements were entitled to First Amendment protections on religious expression because those statements were on matters of public concern, were not provably false, and were expressed
The Westboro Baptist Church member are proponents of extremist Christian ideology. Their first amendment rights should not be violated solely to shield others from the Church’s message. Therein the church should be permitted to protest soldier’s funerals. According to court records taken during the Snyder v. Phelps case, the protest held at Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder’s funeral was both legal and constitutional.
This is because, in the 1st Amendment, it states that in America we have the right to have freedom of speech. In this case, the Phelpses used their freedom of speech in order to protest in favor of what they believe in which can be defended by the 1st Amendment. In the article, “Westboro Baptist Church Wins Supreme Court Appeal Over Funeral Protest”, the author states, “The ruling, though, was in line with many earlier court decisions that said the First Amendment exists to protect robust debate on public issues and free expression, no matter how distasteful.” This shows how although many people disagreed with the Westboro Baptist Church, there was nothing that they could do about the situation. Even if their actions were extremely disrespectful, they had the right to do it and no one can take away their rights to express what they feel in America.
Our First Amendment within the United States Constitution protects our freedoms of speech, press, and assembly, which are umbrella terms for our right to protest, among others. We, as american citizens, have the right to protest whatever we choose,whether it be a television program, a new law that has been passed, or in the Snyder v. Phelps case, deceased veteran funerals. Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder’s family filed a lawsuit against the Phelps family and their followers, otherwise known as the Westboro Baptist Church, who the Snyder 's felt intentionally inflicted emotional distress whilst picketing Matthew Snyder’s funeral. The United States Supreme Court determined that speech in a public space, cannot be liable for any emotional distress,
The twenty-first amendment expresses the greatest amount of importance in the constitution because it repeals another amendment and assists in creating a big picture model of freedom in the US and the world. In section one of the twenty-first amendment the eighteenth amendment is repealed, ending the prohibition of alcohol in the US. The ratification of the eighteenth amendment start a slew of problems for the US with citizens creating their own alcohol illegally which in turn increased crime and gang activity. However, through the ratification of the twenty-first amendment the government was allowed to gain a better control on crime and the distribution of alcohol through federal, state, and local laws. The twenty-first amendment allows each
Freedom- what does it mean? Freedom’s definition can differ depending on the culture you ask. Over the course of American history, there have been many influential documents that define what American freedom means. None, however, have been quite as compelling as the Preamble to the Constitution. This piece brings Americans together while showing the values that Americans hold near and dear; in short, it shows what it means to be “American.”
The 1st Amendment shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech. The framers believed that it was necessary to have the ability to share ideas to have the government to be able to be a democracy. The amendment was then brought to the Supreme Court. Hugo Black gave his input by saying, “The Framers knew that free speech is the friend of change and revolution. But they also knew that it is always the deadliest enemy of tyranny.”
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. — The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution According to the statement above and research, the First Amendment was written to protect freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly and petition. Religious minorities can be persecuted, protesters and media can be silenced, the press cannot criticize government, and citizens cannot mobilize for social change without the First Amendment. After explaining importance of First Amendment, I will explain how we can apply it to student newspapers.
8th Amendment The Eighth Amendment is a very surprisingly important amendment that is commonly forgotten. This amendment was necessary, and more shockingly needed than expected. It was against the need and use for excessive bails or cruel and unusual punishment.
If you look back to the founding of our country you can see that we have fought war after war to protect are ability to have a first amendment right. Wouldn’t you say that it is a pretty important issue if we are willing to send millions of men and women to fight, and potentially die, for its cause? The first amendment is important because without it there are ghastly consequences. Just look at countries that don’t have the option to speak freely, such as China or North Korea. In these places they are people who constantly have to live in fear about saying the wrong thing to the wrong person.
In 2007, after many appeals this case went on to the Supreme Court. On June 25th, 2007, the Supreme Court had a majority vote ruling for the principal and the school as they have the right to suspend a student who is demonstrating “pro-drug messages” which go against the school 's message (Morse). Frederick 's first amendment was not broken as his freedom of speech was limited at school. Marijuana at the time was an illegal substance, and due to that, Frederick was promoting something illegal.
The Importance of the 1st Amendment In 1787 our founding fathers assembled the constitution of the United States of America. Of this which contains the most important document to the American citizen, the Bill of rights. The first Amendment states: “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” These freedoms granted by the Bill of Rights are often known as freedom of expression. These rights are most important to a truly free society. The first amendment provides us with new ideas and dismisses the fear of punishment
The First Amendment, Freedom of Speech could probably be considered the most powerful amendments of the Constitution. If we didn’t have this right, many of our ideas and beliefs would not be real today. All American citizens have the right to talk about what’s on their minds and say what they believe in. As Derek Bok mentions in his essay and unfortunately for people who disagree, With the Supreme Court’s rulings, the demonstration of these flags clearly falls within the protection of the free-speech clause of the First Amendment and that they can in no way be banned merely because they may seem offensive or may someone else’s feelings. “These rulings apply to all agencies of government, including public universities”.
The second amendment is needed in the society that we live in today. It would cause a lot of trouble if people tried to amend the second amendment. I understand that the trajectory for the right to bear arm is becoming narrow and people are starting to see an issue with it. But, I believe that there are different things that can be enforced that will prevent some of these issues. Thomas Jefferson stated, “No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
