Last week I reported on Wisconsin banning protests at funerals, Missouri also enacted similar legislation into law last week. Thirteen other states, according to USA Today, may join them.
What's all the fuss about? Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas. Phelps first made a name for himself by showing up--with members of his congregation--at the funerals of AIDS victims in the 1990s with placards claiming that God was happy the "fag" died and AIDS is simply God's wrath in the form of disease.
About a year ago, Phelps and his church began showing up at the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the claim that God is punishing America for our tolerance of homosexuality. As the picture says above, in Phelps' mind, "God Hates America."
For the family and friends of the deceased--and to any decent human being--protests such as these are reprehensible. An emotionally devastating event such as a funeral should not be forced to endure vile hatred such as the type Phelps spews.
Where is the ACLU? On Phelps' side, of course:
Edwin Yohnka, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union in Illinois, says a proposal there that limits the time and distance of funeral protests is too broad.
The limit could be applied to somebody picketing the appearance of a public official at the service or somebody protesting on another issue, he says.
The Illinois branch of the ACLU may be busy soon--Illinois is one of the states with a funeral protest ban bill working its way through the state legislature.
Phelps' church is independent and is not affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention or any other Baptist group.
Hat tip to Diane at Respublica.
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