Governor Jan Brewer Asks Attorney General to Join Lawsuit Against Military Funeral Protestors

Press Release

Governor Jan Brewer today asked the Arizona Attorney General's office to join the multistate effort in the case of Snyder v. Phelps, No. 09-751, which challenges groups who protest at military funerals. Governor Brewer has received numerous requests for the State of Arizona to join the multistate effort.

"It is critical that the State of Arizona support the families of our fallen soldiers who suffer emotional distress by those who choose to protest at the funerals of their loved ones," said Governor Brewer. "There must be a remedy for the families who are the target of this unconscionable act of disrespect. I urge the Attorney General to join this effort to support our military families without delay."

This case appeals the reversal by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals of a $10.9 million damage verdict against the Westboro Baptist Church, whose members have protested over 200 military funerals around the nation. The group was sued for damages after causing emotional distress to the family of Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq on March 3, 2006. The Fourth Circuit held defendants' actions were entirely excused based upon the First Amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision
to hear the case on March 8, 2010.

The deadline for joining the States' amicus brief led by the State of Kansas and its Attorney General is June 1, 2010.

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