Faculty in the News
In the News
Justices to hear case involving Fred Phelps' protests at military funerals
Publication date: March 8, 2010
Source: Kansas City Star
Author: David Klepper
***
An article in the Kansas City Star about the Supreme Court agreeing to hear a case involving Fred Phelps and his Topeka congregation, whose protests at military funerals have angered families across the country, quoted Richard Levy, the J.B. Smith Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law.
The Star wrote:
For constitutional law scholars, the case promises fireworks. Funeral protests pose unique legal questions, and the ruling could have implications for the many state laws passed to curb Westboro's actions, said Richard Levy, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Kansas.
"This is a hot area of First Amendment law," Levy said. "There are a lot of issues swirling around this type of case, and the court may feel it should step in and clarify the law."
The case also may not fall along the court's traditional fault lines, Levy predicted. "I don't know what the conservative or liberal position is on a case like this," he said.