Marine's father continues his fight against Westboro Baptist Church

Albert Snyder's son, Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder, was killed in a non-combat related vehicle accident in Al Anbar province in Iraq in 2006.  His son's military funeral procession was disrupted by protesters from the infamous Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas.  In case you aren't familiar with the "mission" of the WBC, brace yourself  and take a look at its disturbing website.


Mr.Snyder sued the WBC and was awarded $11 million by a jury in 2007.  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit dismissed the case on First Amendment grounds, and on Friday ordered Snyder to pay over $16,000 in court costs to Fred Phelps, the founder and leader of WBC.  Fox News reports that Snyder will defy the order:

The father of a Marine killed in Iraq whose funeral was picketed by anti-gay protesters told Fox News he will defy a court order and not pay the protesters' appeal costs.

Albert Snyder, of York, Pa., told Fox News he does not intend to pay $16,510 to Fred Phelps, the leader of Kansas' Westboro Baptist Church, which held protests at Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder's funeral in 2006.

"I don't think I'm going to be writing a check until I hear from the Supreme Court," Snyder told Fox News on Tuesday. "I'm not about to pay them anything."

People have stepped up across the country to help Mr. Snyder.  Bill O'Reilly announced on his show Tuesday that he would write a check to cover the $16,500 legal bill.  The American Legion's Burn Pit has stepped forward to help Mr. Snyder raise the funds to file an appeal with the Supreme Court, that has already agreed to hear the case in its October term.  You can also contribute to the Al Snyder legal fund here.