Essays on Fighting Words

Based on the facts presented in the scenario, the defendants are not likely to win their challenge. Indeed, relevant facts of the case state that a group of friends attended a football game, and at different time during the game shouted insults and abusive comments at people passing by them, as well as, at police that were eventually called the arrest them. Consequently, the group was charged with creating a public disturbance through their disorderly conduct. The group challenges the charges, arguing that they were simply exercising their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and expression. Under the ...

One of the hallmarks of American values is the right to free speech. The right of the people to speak freely is enshrined in the First Amendment of the Constitution. The First Amendment prohibits the government from passing laws that restrict speech. In many countries around the world, citizens can be persecuted for speaking out against the government. In order to maintain a democratic society that necessarily involves self-government by the people, it is essential to protect the right to free speech. Citizens must have the right to speak their minds and express differing ideas and viewpoints without fear ...

Summary of the Facts

The congregation at Westboro Baptist Church, led by Fred Phelps, used to picket at military funerals as protestation to tolerance of homosexuals within the ranks. One such funeral was Lance Corporal Snyder’s, during which the congregants displayed picket signs with messages such as ‘Thank God for Dead Soldiers”. The church had notified the authorities beforehand of its intention to picket and acted in compliance with instructions given by the police. During the funeral, Snyder’s father, Albert Snyder, could see the picket signs but not the message on them. He only became aware of these messages after seeing ...