On March 2, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8 to 1 in favor of the Westboro Baptist Church’s right to freedom of speech. The court said that despite the Topeka, Kansas, church’s contentious behavior — extreme demonstrations against homosexuality, including anti-gay protests at military funerals (picture, left) — such actions are subject to constitutional protections. State legislatures, however, have attempted to pass laws that would undermine the Supreme Court ruling. The latest endeavor can be found in Illinois.
On Sunday, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law the “Let Them Rest in Peace Act,” which would force anti-gay protests at military funerals to be at least 300 feet — the length of a football field — from military funerals. Additionally, the bill bans protests from taking place 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after funerals.
At the time he signed the law, Governor Quinn declared:
Every family has a fundamental right to conduct a funeral with reverence and dignity. The new law ensures that the families of those who have given their lives for our country can grieve without harassment.
It is our duty to honor their sacrifice by ensuring they are remembered with respect and solemnity.
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Complete article at The New American : http://bit.ly/r0Q2Fm
