B_big dirigible
Experimental Member
I gather that it's a freedom of speech issue. I know that where I live, there are categories of speech that are not constitutionally protected, and "hate speech" is among these categories.
I'm not sure if there is an equivalent exception to freedom of speech provisions in the USA, and if the bile Phelps spouts would be captured by such an exception.
Presumably church/cemetary grounds are private property and any unwanted protesters could be expelled. But I gather that protesting outside on public property (i.e. the sidewalk or street) is pretty much unstoppable.
(Unless you're protesting the government, of course.)
No, there is no such provision in the USA. I think it's probably one of the few things on which American right- and left-wingers would agree - both would reject the idea that some bureaucrat would get to define what "hate" speech is. It doesn't take long for it to morph into "annoying" speech, and from there to "inconvenient" speech, and on down to just about any speech at all. No, it doesn't take long.
You can protest the government in the US, but you can't always protest it just anywhere you please. There are decent points to be made on both sides of that particular question.