Update: Protests planned during CMU visit by members of Westboro Baptist Church, known for protesting soldier funerals

MOUNT PLEASANT -- Putting fundamentalists in front of class is nothing new for Tim Boudreau, a Central Michigan University professor known for challenging his media law students each semester with an unpopular guest speaker designed to illustrate the breadth of First Amendment protections.

But the Holland native said he was "surprised as hell" when Shirley Phelps-Roper, daughter of Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps, responded favorably to his e-mailed invitation.

Phelps-Roper is expected to bring several relatives from the Topeka, Kan.-based church to CMU for a three-class appearance tentatively scheduled for Nov. 1.

"I think their speech is reprehensible, vile and offensive," said Boudreau, a tenured journalism professor. "But I also think it's protected by the First Amendment."

Boudreau said he hopes to educate by stirring discussion and debate. He said the irony of the First Amendment is that those who push the boundaries of free speech protections for the rest of us are usually among the most unpopular people in the country.

That certainly could describe Westboro Baptist, which is considered a hate group by civil rights centers. Westboro has built its reputation by picketing at the funerals of soldiers to express members' view that U.S. deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq are God's punishment for American immorality and tolerance of homosexuality and abortion.

Signs reading "You're Going to Hell" and "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" at his son's funeral in 2006 prompted Albert Snyder, of Maryland, to sue the church. Snyder's son Matthew was a Marine killed in Iraq.

Albert Snyder was awarded nearly $11 million in damages for the intentional infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy. But the Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeal set aside that decision last year, ruling Westboro members have the right to protest under the First Amendment.

In 2006, the federal government and several states, including Michigan, made it illegal to protest within certain distances and times of a funeral.

The Supreme Court heard Snyder v. Phelps this month in Washington, D.C. The justices' ruling is expected sometime in December or January.

"If this ruling comes down, it would be something to be able to say, 'The people who were involved in that case, who tested the limits of free speech -- they were in our classroom the other day,'" Boudreau said.

He originally was going to spring the Westboro members on students unannounced, thinking a quick, in-and-out presence would avoid a crowd and commotion. But he opted to announce the appearance this week.

"There are a couple (of) people in the class who really, really hate them," said Michael Hoffman, a senior from Grosse Pointe. "I've seen the video of them. I've looked them up. I know what to expect, but I don't think everybody else does."

Before issuing the invitation, Boudreau conferred with Jose Gabilondo, an associate law professor at Florida International University who invited the Westboro members to a 2008 debate during consideration of a state amendment that banned gay marriage.

Gabilondo, who is gay, said he was denounced by colleagues and Florida residents for his invitation to Westboro. The university president's office was "deluged" with calls and letters asking for the appearance to be canceled, but the fallout afterward was minimal, he said.

"I found that I identified with them a little bit because they were principled, in the sense that they've always been willing to pay a price for their views," Gabilondo said. "For them, being true to their biblical vision is more important than what other people think."

"In many ways, the gay movement is predicated on the same thing."

Boudreau said he isn't expecting the CMU administration to be overjoyed with his decision. The university heavily promotes diversity and maintains an Office of Gay and Lesbian Programs. He is allowing any student to opt out and undertake an alternative assignment.

"These people, what they say is very ugly," Gabilondo said. "But they serve an important function. They make society figure out where the line is. It's good to know that and be able to push that line."

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