1. Why was respondent’s speech protected by the First Amendment?

2. What were the matters of public concern in respondent’s speech?

In Snyder v. Phelps, the father of a deceased military service member brought an action under state tort claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress, intrusion upon seclusion, and civil conspiracy against a church and its members for picketing near the funeral of his son. The U.S. Supreme Court held that in light of content, form, and context, the speech of church members who picketed near the funeral of military service member was of public concern and therefore was entitled to special protection under the First Amendment.