News Law passed to ban picketing at Tucson funerals

MIAdragon · 01-11-2011, 07:54 PM

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.

Norman Einstein · 01-11-2011, 08:00 PM

With all of the lawyers in the Phelps family you can bet they will be in court as soon as they can get there. They will do their best to get listed by the Arizona Bar so they can file a suit against the state for restricting their free speech.

**Bugeater** · 01-11-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman Einstein

With all of the lawyers in the Phelps family you can bet they will be in court as soon as they can get there. They will do their best to get listed by the Arizona Bar so they can file a suit against the state for restricting their free speech.

Pffft...they've already won this battle, they're getting the attention they want.

**Gonzo** · 01-11-2011, 08:06 PM

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

Psyko Tek · 01-11-2011, 08:06 PM

Finally AZ does something right

**BigMeatballDave** · 01-11-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Pffft...they've already won this battle, they're getting the attention they want.

Exactly. If people would just ignore these scumbags, they would go away.

WebGem · 01-11-2011, 08:09 PM

Shouldn't this be in DC?

chief52 · 01-11-2011, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Pffft...they've already won this battle, they're getting the attention they want.

Damn it...as much as it sucks, you are exactly right. They win.

MIAdragon · 01-11-2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Amazing Heel

Shouldn't this be in DC?

The CP outhouse, no thanks.

Norman Einstein · 01-11-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief52

Damn it...as much as it sucks, you are exactly right. They win.

I don't think they win. The DA that did the shooting is not the only DA in the land. I'm not saying Gonzo is a DA, but there are people out there that might think Phelps and his kind might be ripe for a show.

Besides, I"d bet the Patriot Riders would be there to block the view of the Phelps whackos.

JD10367 · 01-11-2011, 08:31 PM

I've said it before and I'll say it again: someone needs to take out Fred Phelps and every member of the Westboro Baptist Church. Immediately, publicly, and painfully.

Huffman83 · 01-11-2011, 08:31 PM

Nothing is more irritating when the Phelps clan comes to the area. Luckily in Columbia, anything they end up protesting is weak stuff like things the university is up to.

I think once they were protesting Hickman H/S for having some gay/lesbian club. I think they just protested because they were on their way to the Lady Gaga show that night.

Spott · 01-11-2011, 08:58 PM

How ****ed in the head do you have to be to picket the funeral of a 9 year old girl. Too bad the guy that did the shootings didn't take his aggression out on these bastards.

**luv** · 01-11-2011, 09:02 PM

Haven't read all of the responses, so forgive me if I say something that has already been pointed out. Missouri passed the same legislation, and the church took it all the way to the US Supreme Court. The Court overturned the verdicts of the lower courts sue to the groups actions being protected by the 1st Amendment.

Braincase · 01-11-2011, 09:22 PM

Can't we just fill a bunch of ballons with pig's blood and do a drive-by ballooning from an untagged Crown Vic?

01-11-2011, 07:54 PM
MIAdragon Someone pass the antifreeze Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Miami (North Cuba) Casino cash: $1627819	Law passed to ban picketing at Tucson funerals 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.
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01-11-2011, 08:00 PM	#2
Norman Einstein MVP Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA Casino cash: $10004900	With all of the lawyers in the Phelps family you can bet they will be in court as soon as they can get there. They will do their best to get listed by the Arizona Bar so they can file a suit against the state for restricting their free speech.
Posts: 5,386

01-11-2011, 08:06 PM	#4
Gonzo Stuff & Things Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Yukon Casino cash: $10126924	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*
Posts: 21,498

01-11-2011, 08:06 PM	#5
Psyko Tek special teams Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mesa AZ Casino cash: $10015665	Finally AZ does something right __________________ Psyko Tek The keyboard has been drinking,
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01-11-2011, 08:09 PM	#7
WebGem MVP Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NYC/Toronto/Mexico Casino cash: $9994900	Shouldn't this be in DC? __________________ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bmifsud
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01-11-2011, 08:31 PM	#11
JD10367 Cheaterlover* Join Date: May 2009 Location: RI Casino cash: $10010716	I've said it before and I'll say it again: someone needs to take out Fred Phelps and every member of the Westboro Baptist Church. Immediately, publicly, and painfully.
Posts: 12,916

01-11-2011, 08:31 PM	#12
Huffman83 Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $10008077	Nothing is more irritating when the Phelps clan comes to the area. Luckily in Columbia, anything they end up protesting is weak stuff like things the university is up to. I think once they were protesting Hickman H/S for having some gay/lesbian club. I think they just protested because they were on their way to the Lady Gaga show that night.
Posts: 2,240

01-11-2011, 08:58 PM	#13
Spott Court Jester Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Orlando Casino cash: $3112400	How ****ed in the head do you have to be to picket the funeral of a 9 year old girl. Too bad the guy that did the shootings didn't take his aggression out on these bastards.
Posts: 19,696

01-11-2011, 09:02 PM	#14
luv MY LITTLE #15 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $6259600	Haven't read all of the responses, so forgive me if I say something that has already been pointed out. Missouri passed the same legislation, and the church took it all the way to the US Supreme Court. The Court overturned the verdicts of the lower courts sue to the groups actions being protected by the 1st Amendment.
Posts: 63,426

01-11-2011, 09:22 PM	#15
Braincase Banned Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pond> Me <Barn Casino cash: $11298284	Can't we just fill a bunch of ballons with pig's blood and do a drive-by ballooning from an untagged Crown Vic? __________________ BrainCase
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