Albany, NY – The New York State Senate passed a bill to limit protesting outside military funerals.
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This bill comes despite a Supreme Court decision saying these types of pickets are protected under the First Amendment.
The proposed legislation would ban protests within 2,500 feet of funeral services in New York. Protestors could, however, get closer, but only if they pay for added security and police escort. Even then, they would have to stay at least 500 feet away.
Other states have proposed similar legislature. A new measure in West Virginia would make protesting at a funeral a misdemeanor crime.
The bill now goes to the New York State Assembly for approval
As long as they also allow the funeral family to carry live weapons so they could be used when needed!
The Supreme Court was clear that certain limitations could be put on funeral protests. What was clear was that the First Amendment allowed protests, although not unfettered. I do not know if the New York law will pass muster.
It is utterly disgusting to allow protests at anyone’s funeral. A funeral is a solemn ceremony and the family has a right to their privacy and a right to respect their dead family member. To allow anyone to picket or protest anywhere a funeral denies the rights of the members of the funeral party!
What’s good for the goose…should apply here, when there is a death, wedding, religous affair that any of the members and family of members of the Baptist Protesters have, why not make sure that large groups of people protest these affairs as well. Freedom of speech can be annoying at anyone’s funeral!