Legion Laments Supreme Court Ruling on Westboro Protests

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Mar 02, 2011, 03:16 ET

INDIANAPOLIS, March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following today's 8 to 1 decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the legal right of the Westboro Baptist Church to stage anti-gay protests at military funerals, the leader of The American Legion expressed disappointment.

The court's ruling was a defeat for Albert Snyder, the father of a Marine killed in Iraq in 2006.

"While we understand the Supreme Court ruling and we appreciate the sanctity of freedom of speech, we are very disappointed that any American would believe it appropriate to express such sentiments as those expressed by the Westboro Baptist Church, especially at the funeral of an American hero who died defending the very freedoms this church abuses," said Jimmie L. Foster, national commander of The American Legion.

"Our sympathy goes out to the Snyder family and all bereaved family members who have had to endure such abuse," Foster said.

The American Legion had filed amicus curiae supporting the Snyder family.

SOURCE The American Legion