Alabama helps protect Funerals from WestBro.
Alabama Governor has signed a laws that will restrict protests of funerals considering the past actions of Westbro group. The House Bill 238 will put a 1000 foot boundary that will protect those against those who wish to cause them emotional anguish.
Governor Bentley today held a ceremonial signing of House Bill 238, sponsored by Rep. DuWayne Bridges (R-Valley), which sets a perimeter of 1000 feet, or two blocks, for any disruption of a funeral in Alabama. The bill passed by unanimous votes in both the House and Senate during the recently completed legislative session.
I found the full bill online for review to see all the fine details. Here are the meat and potatoes of the bill.
A person commits the crime of disrupting a funeral or memorial service if, during the 60 minutes immediately preceding a funeral or memorial service that has a scheduled starting time, during the funeral or memorial service, or immediately following the funeral or memorial service, the person does any of the following with the intention of disrupting the funeral or memorial service:
Engages in a protest, including, but not 25 limited to, protest with or without using an electric sound amplification device, that involves singing, chanting, whistling, yelling, or honking a motor vehicle horn within 500-1,000 feet of the entrance to a facility being used for a 4 funeral or memorial service.
Blocks access to a facility being used for the service.
Impedes vehicles that he or she knows are part of the procession.
For purposes of this section, the term “facility” includes a funeral home, church, or cemetery in
which the funeral or memorial service takes place.A violation of subsection is a Class A 13 misdemeanor for the first conviction and a Class C felony for
14 each subsequent conviction.”
It may not stop them completely but another law like this passing is always a good thing.
Category: Society, Veterans Issues
The question is will it also block the PG riders?
No lawyer here, but I can’t see how it could blocl=k the PGR since as far as I understand it, the PGR does NOT:
Engagesin a protest, including, but not 25 limited to, protest with or without using an electric sound amplification device, that involves singing, chanting, whistling, yelling, or honking a motor vehicle horn within 500-1,000 feet of the entrance to a facility being used for a 4 funeral or memorial service.
Block access to a facility being used for the service.
Impede vehicles that he or she knows are part of the procession.
I am guessing the lawyers in the readership can better answer, but that’s my thinking on the PGR..
I’m still waiting for them to come to Az to pull their crap! Although now that I’m off for a while, maybe a road trip is in order. They blaspheme the Christian funerals of honorable men and women, in the Lord’s name? My oldest son died before he had a chance to serve but if he had, and they had protested, they would have had a close encounter with Col. Colt’s model 1911 A1 .45 side arm with five fully loaded clips. Not false bravado, we’re talking about my first born. Ok, I’ll get off my soap box!
Yat Yas, I’m one of the original PGR members in Arizona, and they’ve been here three times, although not recently.
The solution resides in that provided by King Henry’s comment regarding Cardinal Thomas A Becket. Henry remarked in anger “Is there no man who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?” A few of the kings knights overheard the anguished call and decided to act upon their own.
This small group of knights acting as they believed on the kings command, rode to Canterbury and found the good prelate, Thomas a Beckett at prayer. The drew their sharp blades and slew him dead. The prelates head was given bythe knights to Henry.
Of course, Henry was looking for a political change, just the removal from office of the prelate. But this was a good thing in that there was a permanent solution to the problem along with a rock solid alibi for the king,
Great law. I will say I think the most brilliant thing we did was take as much advantage of their right to free speech by having the amazing Patriot Guard volunteers and others turn their tactics on their heads. I’ve seen several amazing videos of Patriot Guard members not acknowledging them, but quietly blocking them with flags and playing patriotic music. To me that’s even more brilliant than a law banning protest at funerals.
#1 I don’t believe the PGR will be drawn into this because they are in most cases either invited or requested by the families of the fallen.
As much as I am an advocate for preserving the rights of speech and protest, the WBC clearly seeks to impede the freedom of movement of others and disrupt activities [funerals].
Someone or group may seek to appeal this, but I think it will stand.
The thing about free speech is that it allows us to speak our minds at reasonable times in reasonable places. Force anyone to listen? Not so much.
I was happy and glad when I saw this. I did not see anyone protesting at the 2 funerals I have been too here but for the WBC, just because something is not illegal does not make it right.