Law passed to ban picketing at Tucson funerals

[MIAdragon]

Need to do this everywhere IMO.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41027365...rts/?gt1=43001

PHOENIX — Arizona legislators quickly approved emergency legislation Tuesday to head off picketing by a Topeka, Kan., church near the funeral service for a 9-year-old girl who was killed in the Tucson shootings.
Unanimous votes by the House and Senate sent the bill to Gov. Jan Brewer for her expected signature. It would take effect immediately.
Without specifically mentioning the Tucson shooting, the proposed law prohibits protests at or near funeral sites.

Dozens of lawmakers co-sponsored the bill, and legislative action was completed within 90 minutes. The Senate's committee hearing took just three minutes.

The Westboro Baptist Church said Monday it plans to picket Thursday's funeral for Christina Taylor Green because "God sent the shooter to deal with idolatrous America." The fundamentalist church has picketed many military funerals to draw attention to its view that the deaths are God's punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.

Lawmakers denounced the church's plan to picket a child's funeral.

"This is just horrific that ... people have to deal with this. We shouldn't have to do this in time of great pain for our state," said Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a Phoenix Democrat.

The girl was the youngest of the six people killed during the shooting at an event held by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was among 14 people injured. Giffords was shot in the head and critically wounded. Numerous states have passed laws restricting protests at funerals after members of the Westboro church began protesting at the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Arizona legislation is modeled on an Ohio law that was upheld by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Sinema said.
The four-paragraph Arizona bill makes it a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail to picket or conduct other protest activities within 300 feet of a funeral or burial service — about the length of a football field. The prohibition applies from one hour before the event to one hour after.
Shirley Phelps-Roper, a church member and a daughter of its pastor, said the prohibition wouldn't matter because church members plan to picket at one of two intersections more than 1,000 feet from the church where the girl's service will be held.
Phelps-Roper also said church members plan picketing Friday in conjunction with a service for another victim of the shooting, U.S. District Judge John M. Roll. Sen. Paula Aboud, a Tucson Democrat, said volunteers in Tucson were organizing a human shield to block the protesters from view of victim family members. Sinema said the prohibition applies only to funeral and burial sites because courts have struck down picketing prohibitions for procession routes.
"This is a good compromise that doesn't trample our God-given rights," said Senate President Russell Pearce, a Mesa Republican.

Sen. Ron Gould, a Republican from Lake Havasu City, voted for the bill but earlier was the only senator who objected to suspending rules requiring several days of legislative consideration before a final vote.
Gould cited the public's right to know what lawmakers are considering. "And when we suspend those rules mistakes get made," he added.

[Lono]

I just can't understand how people think it's their right to free speech or to picket a funeral. Is it not our right to have a peaceful funeral? I can promise if this was my daughter and these nutjobs showed up protesting at her funeral. There would be no more Phelps.

[Hydrae]

Honestly, this is just grandstanding by the politicos.

Originally Posted by OP

Shirley Phelps-Roper, a church member and a daughter of its pastor, said the prohibition wouldn't matter because church members plan to picket at one of two intersections more than 1,000 feet from the church where the girl's service will be held.

They pass a law that says the proest can not occur within 300 feet of the funeral but they weren't going to be protesting that closely anyway. I am sure the politicos had to have known this since I am sure they had to apply for the right to protest in the first place and that paperword would state where they would be setting up.

I agree, these people are worthless users of everyone else's breathable air but sometimes you have to look at that facts being stated and recognize they are not the only stupid bastards out there.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by Hydrae

Honestly, this is just grandstanding by the politicos.



They pass a law that says the proest can not occur within 300 feet of the funeral but they weren't going to be protesting that closely anyway. I am sure the politicos had to have known this since I am sure they had to apply for the right to protest in the first place and that paperword would state where they would be setting up.

I agree, these people are worthless users of everyone else's breathable air but sometimes you have to look at that facts being stated and recognize they are not the only stupid bastards out there.

Pfft.

I didn't know this ... about the 300 ft deal, I mean. Based on this new information, I agree. Sounds a whole lot like grandstanding.

And just when I started developing a slight sense of pride in our governmental system.

FAX

[soopamanluva]

They will do that to the wrong family and ALL of them will receive a swift ass whipping. That's what they need. I really wish they would have gone ahead and picketed bernie macs funeral, in the south side of Chicago. We'd have never heard from them again...

[Hydrae]

Originally Posted by FAX

Pfft.

I didn't know this ... about the 300 ft deal, I mean. Based on this new information, I agree. Sounds a whole lot like grandstanding.

And just when I started developing a slight sense of pride in our governmental system.

FAX

I like you and have a lot of respect for you FAX but this is from the OP:

Originally Posted by OP

The four-paragraph Arizona bill makes it a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail to picket or conduct other protest activities within 300 feet of a funeral or burial service ...

[FAX]

Originally Posted by Hydrae

I like you and have a lot of respect for you FAX but this is from the OP:

Wait a minute ... we're supposed to read these things?

FAX

[Hydrae]

Originally Posted by FAX

Wait a minute ... we're supposed to read these things?

FAX

Hmmm, maybe that is my problem. Damn parents, making me think reading can teach you stuff.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by Hydrae

Hmmm, maybe that is my problem. Damn parents, making me think reading can teach you stuff.

LOL

Slack!!! Cut some slack, man!!

I didn't read the entire article (obviously). But, to be entirely honest with you about it, the problem is that, whenever I see the words, "Westboro Baptist Church", I tend to gag a little and typically close the thread. I sincerely find those people highly distasteful.

Anyhow, what difference does it make? I know about the 300 ft deal now and it's crazy - as you mentioned. They already couldn't picket within 1000 ft and the legislature decided to chime in with ... well ... basically nothing. It's pitiful.

FAX

[Hydrae]

SL***snip***ACK

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

I hope now more than ever that there is a hell because these ****ers would rot in the deepest, darkest pit with no hope of ever being freed.
If this were my child, I could not be held responsible for my actions.
Posted via Mobile Device

Yep, they are the sickest people I have EVER heard of.