Mississippi 'deals with" Westboro Baptists.

[Cinjin]

I'm not an expert on U.S law, but if they picketed a black funeral holding up signs that proclaimed

"God hates niggers"

What would the legal standing be?

And would that still be "freedom of speech"?

Um....




I suppose they might be selling Girl Scout Cookies but, I have to tell you that the odds are against it.

what flavor are your cookies?? Mmmmmm .... tastes like racism.

[Zen Badger]

More to the point, is there actually any U.S laws regarding racial villification?

[Doubting Thomas]

I suppose they might be selling Girl Scout Cookies but, I have to tell you that the odds are against it.

I bet there won't be any chocolate cookies...

[Minimalist]

More to the point, is there actually any U.S laws regarding racial villification?

Once again, Zen, the issue comes down to "speech" versus "conduct." A few years ago the New York City council tried to ban the word "nigger" and the rappers went nuts. Even though the bill was largely symbolic ( it provided no penalty ) it was still simply an attempt by the government to ban "speech."

However, if you are beating someone up and call him "nigger" most states have adopted some form of hate-crime legislation which makes the assault worse. Again, it varies from state to state.

One is "speech" the other is "conduct." If a Klan leader stood at a microphone urging his followers to attack "niggers" that could ( and should ) be construed as speech which could start a riot and the Supreme Court has upheld criminal sanctions there.