Politics & Government
Manchester Funeral Protest Lawsuit Back in Court Monday
An appeals court is set to re-hear the case of Phelps v. the City of Manchester which involves the protest of Westboro Baptist Church at soldiers' funerals.
An appeals .
The Westboro Baptists Church and ACLU sued Manchester over a city ordinance restricting protests or pickets at funerals. The church regularly pickets funerals of dead American soldiers, claiming the death of soldiers is a punishment for America's tolerance of gay rights.
In October, a three-judge panel ruled in favor of the Westboro Baptist Church and the ACLU, arguing Manchester’s ordinance violated the church’s first amendment rights.
Find out what's happening in Town And Country-Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
However, in November, the City of Manchester, filed a petition for rehearing “en banc," asking for the entire Eighth District Court of Appeals bench of judges to hear the case rather than the usual panel of three judges.
The court granted Manchester’s request, and a hearing is set for Jan. 9.
Find out what's happening in Town And Country-Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
On Dec. 21, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster filed an amicus brief in support of the city of Manchester. According to the brief, the state of Missouri has a "unique" interest in this case since the state enacted an ordinance, similar to Manchester's, which "protects the sanctity of funeral services."
The Westboro Baptist Church also has a pending case against Koster.
The United States, through U.S. Assitant Attorney General Tony West, also filed an amicus brief on behalf of the city of Manchester.
Check back to Town and Country - Manchester Patch later Monday for the latest on the hearing.
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