Westboro Baptist founder's daughter sues St. Joseph

Friday, January 9, 2009 | 1:19 p.m. CST
BY The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY — The daughter of the founder of the Westboro Baptist Church member has sued the city of St. Joseph over its ordinance banning protests at soldiers' funerals.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, asks a judge to declare the ordinance and its enforcement unconstitutional.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri filed the suit on behalf of Shirley Phelps-Roper. She's the daughter of Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps.

The St. Joseph city attorney's office did not immediately return a call seeking comment Friday.

The church believes that U.S. troop deaths are punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.

Phelps-Roper is pursuing a similar suit against the state of Missouri. A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in October that church members could picket soldiers' funerals in Missouri.

 

Show Me the Errors (What's this?)

Report corrections or additions here. Leave comments below here.

You must be logged in to participate in the Show Me the Errors contest.

Comments

Leave a comment

Speak up and join the conversation! Make sure to follow the guidelines outlined below and register with our site. You must be logged in to comment. (Our full comment policy is here.)

  • Don't use obscene, profane or vulgar language.
  • Don't use language that makes personal attacks on fellow commenters or discriminates based on race, religion, gender or ethnicity.
  • Use your real first and last name when registering on the website. It will be published with every comment. (Read why we ask for that here.)
  • Don’t solicit or promote businesses.

We are not able to monitor every comment that comes through. If you see something objectionable, please click the "Report comment" link.

You must be logged in to comment.

Forget your password?

Don't have an account? Register here.

Like the Missourian?
Support us with Kachingle!

advertisements