Watch ABC News report: "Westboro Baptist Church Goes to the Supreme Court" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0meqcKTAcMU) and read theSnyder v. Phelpsdecision (https://www.oyez.org/cases/2010/09-751).

Background: Mr. Snyder sued Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church for intentional infliction of emotional distress (among other claims) due to the church picketing on public property near his son's funeral. The jury awarded Snyder nearly $11 million. As you know from chapter 4 of the textbook and the lecture, a government actor is required to allege a violation of rights protected by the Bill of Rights and in theSnyder v Phelpscase, the court is the government actor (through the trial court awarding $10.9 million in damages). Phelps' argument is that their First Amendment (free speech) rights are violated by the government (court) in enforcing the jury award, which makes the case a First Amendment case.

Based on the law and the court decision, why did the Supreme Court rule that Westboro Baptist Church's speech was protected?