Arizona shootings: Bill would provide 'funeral protection zone'

[pinboy3niner]

Arizona shootings: Bill would provide 'funeral protection zone'
by Mary Jo Pitzl - Jan. 11, 2011 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

Democrats in the Arizona Legislature say they will introduce a bill Tuesday to create a "funeral protection zone" to keep protesters from disrupting the funerals of those killed in the mass shooting near Tucson.
<snip>

The bill is patterned after an Ohio law that establishes a 300-foot protection zone around a funeral location from one hour before the event until one hour after it.

"They <Fred Phelps and members of his Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas> want to protest at the gravesite of a 9-year-old girl, and we want to stop him," Aboud said.

In addition, the Republican and Democratic parties in Pima County are urging people to help form a human barricade along the funeral routes to protect the victims' families from Phelps and his small band of vocal protesters.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2011/01/10/20110110arizona-shootings-funeral-bill.html#ixzz1AibshU00

[Behind the Aegis]

1. Are they really going to "protest" the funeral of a NINE YEAR OLD?!

:puke:

I have met that vile sac of skin and a few of his minions...with everything that has happened, I am hard pressed to find ANYTHING of redeeming value in Fred Phelps!

[madmax]

3. They are scum - they have no morals or sense

of deceny.

[Jamastiene]

4. I would not put it past them.

I don't doubt it for a minute. They are THAT hideous.

[Behind the Aegis]

8. "Hideous" doesn't even describe it.

This is beyond the pale.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. Apparently so.

This "group" seems to have no scruples, but we already knew that... x(


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4692147&mesg_id=4692147

[pinboy3niner]

7. There is an organization that shields funerals from the Phelps ugliness

The Patriot Guard Riders and their supporters have served as a human shield between the Phelps crowd and funeral observances at many funerals already.

Their mission statement and website link:

Patriot Guard Riders Mission Statement

The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. If you share this respect, please join us.

We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives:

1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.

2. Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.

We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.

To those of you who are currently serving and fighting for the freedoms of others, at home and abroad, please know that we are backing you. We honor and support you with every mission we carry out, and we are praying for a safe return home for all.

http://www.patriotguard.org/

[Mojeoux]

16. Oh God Bless You Guys!!

If I had a bunch of money I would fund your organization!

[NYC Liberal]

2. Is it really possible for anyone to have as much hate

as the members of the Phelps clan do?

Seriously, how could anyone walk around with THAT much hatred - for THAT many people? Sure it's possible to be a racist or be a homoephobe or a misogynist...but these people hate EVERYONE.

[MadHound]

5. Oh boy, let's limit free speech some more,

And start ourselves down a real nasty slippery slope.

[Behind the Aegis]

9. Should free speech be limitless?

[MadHound]

10. Beyond the standard "don't yell fire in a crowded theater" caveat, yes.

You may not like it, I may not like it, but everybody, including Phelps, is free to say what they want, when they want on public property.

If you don't like what Phelps is saying, then you are free to counterprotest. Otherwise when you start giving out funeral protection zones, and free speech zones, pretty soon everyplace but the privacy of your own house is a no speech zone.

[Behind the Aegis]

12. And private events?

Or semi-private events? Even if a house of worship or funeral home or graveyard are "public" aren't events like marriage, funerals, confirmations, bar/bat mitzvahs, etc. private and should not be disrupted by "free speech?" How close is too close? Should they be allowed to stand on the sidewalk as participants attend?

[BzaDem]

14. Free speech cases are usually much more nuanced than simply asking about yelling fire in theaters

or similar "clear and present danger" circumstances.

In fact, several justices (not just the conservative ones) on the Supreme Court were even considering allowing an infliction-of-emotional-distress suit to go forward (against Phelps) where there was no law banning such funeral protests. How they'll come out on various issues is unclear in that case (since there was no law), but most seemed much more amenable (in oral argument) to a situation where there was an actual clear law regarding funerals (like Arizona is considering).

[Poll_Blind]

11. Not worth erotding Free Speech over . n/t

PB

[Mojeoux]

13. Does anyone remember the movie, "The Laramie Project?"

It was a re-creation of events following the murder of Mathew Shaepard. Christina Ricci played a sweet little lesbian who was a friend of Mathew's. She and her Mom made angel costumes with big wings, enough costumes for a row of angels to stand directly in front of the heinous Westboro church people, as the funeral procession drove by.
If I wan the lottery one thing I would do is bankroll a troupe of angels to follow the Westboro people all over the country.

O8) O8) O8) O8) O8) O8) O8) O8) O8) O8) O8)

[pinboy3niner]

15. See Post #7

The Patriot Guard Riders have have been doing something similar by serving as a human shield.