Funeral Protest Ban Clears Maryland House
Finally some sanity. Funerals are no place to make political statements.
WTOP: Funeral Protest Ban Clears Maryland House:
Alarmed by protesters who hold up signs such as "Thank God For Dead Soldiers" at military funerals, the Maryland House voted Wednesday to ban funeral protests that use speech likely to incite a fight.
The bill passed 132-3, despite concerns from some that it could weaken free speech. Congress and more than a dozen states are considering similar bills in response to protests by the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., whose members believe that American soldiers are dying because of the nation's tolerance of gay people
Earlier this month, the Westminster funeral of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder was picketed by seven members of the church. Similar protests across the country have made lawmakers re-examine the limits of free speech. Protesters use anti-gay epithets and have inspired large counter-demonstrations.