P
psychologist101
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**FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 28) - Flanked by National Guardsmen and veterans of all ages, Gov. Ernie Fletcher signed a law Monday to force protesters to keep their distance from military funerals.
The measure is aimed at members of Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., who have demonstrating around the country at funerals for soldiers killed in Iraq. Carrying signs with slogans such as “God Hates Fags,” the protesters claim that U.S. soldiers are dying because God is punishing America for tolerating homosexuality. **
articles.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20060327152209990002&cid=505
as much as i am sickened by Phelps, there is a higher issue here. The Legislatures are clearly infringing on the right of free speech and the right to peacably assemble, and the right to redress grievances. As long as the Phelps remain on Public lands and do not trespass on the grounds of the cemetary, as well as have proper permits, there is no means to stop them.
what is next? are we going to prevent protesting withing 500 feet of presidential, senator, or governor’s public speeches? do we now prohibit the KKK from protesting or marching altogether? the message of the protest is irrelevant, unless it directly advocates violence. i know the intent of the law is well-meaning, but it is simply unconstitutional.
what the Phelps do is very sickening, but there is no difference of their protests and the protests of anyone else. these laws clearly violate most of the 1st amendment, as well as the “equal protection” clause of the 14th. they are being excluded and prohibited based on their message, even though the venue they choose is public lands very close to a funeral.
if their message is censored, it is only a matter of time before our own message is censored too.
The measure is aimed at members of Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., who have demonstrating around the country at funerals for soldiers killed in Iraq. Carrying signs with slogans such as “God Hates Fags,” the protesters claim that U.S. soldiers are dying because God is punishing America for tolerating homosexuality. **
articles.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20060327152209990002&cid=505
as much as i am sickened by Phelps, there is a higher issue here. The Legislatures are clearly infringing on the right of free speech and the right to peacably assemble, and the right to redress grievances. As long as the Phelps remain on Public lands and do not trespass on the grounds of the cemetary, as well as have proper permits, there is no means to stop them.
what is next? are we going to prevent protesting withing 500 feet of presidential, senator, or governor’s public speeches? do we now prohibit the KKK from protesting or marching altogether? the message of the protest is irrelevant, unless it directly advocates violence. i know the intent of the law is well-meaning, but it is simply unconstitutional.
what the Phelps do is very sickening, but there is no difference of their protests and the protests of anyone else. these laws clearly violate most of the 1st amendment, as well as the “equal protection” clause of the 14th. they are being excluded and prohibited based on their message, even though the venue they choose is public lands very close to a funeral.
if their message is censored, it is only a matter of time before our own message is censored too.