Westboro Baptist Gets Federal Backing After Visit to Northwestern High

A day after , the Topeka-based church known for it's anti-homosexual stance, won their case in the U.S. Supreme Court.

According to a story in the Huffington Post, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the fundamentalist church Wednesday, stating that the First Amendment protects their right to picket outside military funerals, even though it may cause grief for the families.

Five members from Westboro Baptist Church stood outside Northwestern High School Tuesday and protested at 9 a.m. when students arrive for their school day.

Westboro protester, Jael Phelps, 26, said that they chose Northwestern because they heard that it is a large school in the area.

"It's our duty to prevent kids going to hell," Phelps said, adding that the reason they would go to hell is because America allows homosexuality.

The court voted 8-1 in favor of the church; U.S. Justice Samuel Alito was the sole dissenter.  Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the opinion for the court. Their decision upheld an appeals court ruling that reversed a $5 million judgment to the father of a dead Marine, who sued Westboro church members after they protested outside his son's funeral.

Northwestern does have a JROTC program, although that wasn't the reason the church picketed. They only stayed for .

. They held signs about .

“I’m here because I’m representing all the LGBT community, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community, against hate,” said Sierra Fenner, 18, a Northwestern senior. “Because gay people do go to church, they do worship God. God is the judge. God accepts everyone, he is forgiving, and for Westboro Church to say that … gay people go to hell – completely wrong. He accepts everyone.”

Add your photos from Tuesday's protest.