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Grieving Families V. Freedom Of Speech: Why Funeral Protest Laws Are Constitutional And Necessary To Protect Families, Carrie Ann Harris

Carrie Ann Harris

Over the past few years, most notably during the current War on Terror, many families of soldiers who have died in action have had certain repulsive and distasteful guests invite themselves to the funerals. These protestors hold signs such as “Thank God for Dead Soldiers” and “Your Son is Going to Hell.” Americans have become outraged at these protestors and lawmakers have heard their voices. This paper discusses funeral attendees’ rights of safety and privacy versus the protestors’ rights to free speech. All of these rights are important in the United States today. However, in the end, the Funeral Protest …