The U.S. Congress has passed and sent to President Obama a bill that greatly limits the ability of groups like the controversial Westboro Baptist Church to protest at funerals of U.S. military personnel.
Under an amendment to "The Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012" (H.R. 1627), demonstrators will be required to remain at least 300 feet away from roads or pathways leading to the location of the funeral and 500 feet from the actual location of the services. In addition, no demonstrations will be allowed two hours before or two hours after a military funeral.
U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), introduced the amendment in reaction to the Supreme Court's recent 8-1 ruling that demonstrations such as those conducted by members of the Westboro Baptist Church were protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.
Also See: Courts Continue to Uphold Westboro Church's Rights to Protest
"Protests that encroach upon the funerals and burials of our fallen soldiers are repugnant and inappropriate - and they undermine the respect military families and loved ones undeniably deserve," said Sen. Snowe on the floor of the Senate. "Our nation has a vested interest in honoring those who serve in our armed forces and this bill achieves that while respecting the intent of the First Amendment to our Constitution."
Members of the Westboro Baptist Church have gained notoriety over the last few years for conducting disruptive demonstrations during military funerals, often declaring that the deaths of U.S. soldiers resulted from "God's vengeance" for the military's acceptance of gays and lesbians.
The bill, which President Obama is expected to sign later in August, also contains measures providing for the needs of veterans, their families, and survivors through improved healthcare, housing, education benefits and services.
Comments
Westboro and anyone else that disgraces our military should be held accountable. Also the Supreme court should be ashamed of themselves saying that Westboro and others have a right to defile our young military who have given their lives for our country.
protest is an important thing to be able to do! protesters like westboro should be kept in a cage about 80mi away from the event! if any get loose shoot them!
I find these protests to lack just plain old fashion decency and thesse protestors should be ashamed. As a veteran I would like to deck them out and be done with it. However, as a veteran I have to remember that we need everyone to have the same right to protest, even those we disagree with. While I hope a church representing a loving and merciful god would show the same respect they would like shown to them, laws limiting freedoms need to be looked at carefully and unemotionally. Once the right is gone, it is gone for everyone.