Posted on 01/19/2006 3:32:02 PM PST by GovGirl
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The Senate advanced a bill Thursday intended to prohibit protests within 500 feet of funerals - legislation that stems from protests by a Kansas-based anti-gay group at Indiana military funerals.
The bill, which cleared the Senate 47-1, now moves to the House, where it could face changes because of confusion about what the legislation would actually do.
Sen. Brent Steele, R-Bedford, filed the bill in response to a protest at the Aug. 28 funeral for Army Staff Sgt. Jeremy Doyle, an Indianapolis native killed in Iraq.
Steele said he wants to ban all protesters from coming within 500 feet of burials and funeral homes during viewings. But some lawmakers said the bill as written would only prohibit protesters who were causing a disruption, not those who were silent.
Steele said he would work with House members to amend the legislation to prohibit even silent protests within 500 feet of funerals.
"If you're 500 feet back, and it's orderly, that's fine," Steele said. "My intent is that you don't come within 500 feet of the grave."
The bill currently states that disorderly conduct within 500 feet of a funeral would be a class D felony carrying a maximum three-year prison term and $10,000 fine. Disorderly conduct, which includes fighting or making unreasonable noise, is also a class D felony if committed at an airport.
During August's protest, six members of the Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro Baptist Church dragged U.S. flags on the ground and shouted insults at Doyle's surviving relatives outside a mortuary in Martinsville, about 30 miles southwest of Indianapolis. They have staged similar protests at other funerals in Indiana and other states.
The Rev. Fred Phelps, the church's founder, contends that American soldiers are dying in Iraq as vengeance from God because the United States harbors gays. The church, which is not affiliated with a larger denomination, is made up mostly of Phelps' children, grandchildren and in-laws.
Some senators were concerned that the bill could restrict freedom of speech. But Steele and other supporters said the bill was needed as a public safety measure to protect protesters.
"When people are at their most frazzled moment emotionally, what little thing would it take for a loved one to tee off and go back there and hurt someone?" Steele asked.
When Steele announced his intentions in October to file the bill, a Westboro member said the group would fight the move in court if necessary.
Sen. Anita Bowser, D-Michigan City, said she expected a challenge.
"There will be a question, I'm sure, in the courts regarding freedom of speech, and I hope the court takes all kinds of things into consideration when it renders its decision," said Bowser, who voted for the bill.
We just need a law declaring open season on protesters when they show up at military funerals.
I think Phelps's group is beneath contempt. But I certainly hope the government can find its way clear to stay out of it.
People sooner or later have to realize the eventual consequences of passing a law against every new outrage that our fellow citizens dream up.
Well, the Westboro loons don't look like they can run very far or fast, so it would almost be like canned hunting.
I personally think these people should get a bit of the Old Testament treatment since they're so "in tune" with God.
500 feet is a start.
Make no mistake, if this were to happen at my sons funeral I can absolutely garantee you my teeing off on one of those turd chewers would be the least of thier worrys. I honestly feel a jury of my peers would have no problem empathizing with me should I become emotionaly distressed. Then lord knows what I'd be capable of doing.
Hunting these scum would be just like hunting caribou or milk cows. Maybe we can just sell them to McDonalds.
I don't understand why, since we are at war, someone hasn't tried to charge these idots with treason. Dragging the flag of my country in the dirt, when I have served my country protecting their Freedom of religion, and their Freedom of speech infuriates me. I have already tried to send them a message on this as well, and got no reply. See my post " A response to westboro baptist church" for more info. Naturally, they did not reply.
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