Westboro Baptist Church To Engage In Debate At VCU

GayRVA Staff
September 17, 2010

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Read More: Debate, First Freedom Center, Fred Phelps, God Hates Fags, UofR, VCU, Westboro Baptist Church

Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church makes their second 2010 appearance in Richmond on Sunday, September 26.

Originally, the group posted about an afternoon protest at Virginia Commonwealth University on GodHatesFags.com.  In lieu of Westboro’s original appearance, the First Freedom Center has announced a debate – “Religion-Based Hate Speech and the First Amendment: Debates in Religion, Public Policy, and Law.”

From the event flyer:

Margie Phelps, an attorney and member of the Westboro Baptist Church, will present the argument that the Supreme Court of the United States will hear this term in the Snyder v. Phelps case.

William H. Hurd, partner with Troutman Sanders and an experienced Supreme Court litigator, will oppose.

Dean John Douglass, University of Richmond School of Law, will moderate.

Sydner v. Phelps examines the rights of a group’s free speech and the rights of a private individual.  Albert Sydner, a Maryland father brought the case forth after his son’s military funeral was picketed by Westboro. A Baltimore jury awarded $10 million, then a district judge cut the amount in half.  A Richmond appeals court threw out the verdict and then Sydner petitioned the Supreme Court.

The Richmond debate is Sunday, September 26 from 4-5:30 pm at the VCU Commons Theater at 907 Floyd Avenue.

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