Funeral Protest Bill Headed to Governor

Measure would preserve the dignity of services

Reacting to a recent spate of protests at funerals for service members killed in action (including one for an Indiana County native), legislation that would limit the scope of protests at funerals and memorial services received final legislative approval today, according to Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Senate Bill 1150 received final Senate approval today and was sent to the governor to be signed into law. SB 1150 was introduced in response to incidents of picketing and abusive chanting targeting Pennsylvania military funerals, according to Senator White. The Westboro Baptist Church, a Topeka, Kansas-based congregation, has picketed military services in Pennsylvania and around the country.

"We cannot enact this law soon enough as we have seen this group display their disrespectful behavior here in Indiana at the funeral of Sgt. 1st Class Randy McCaulley of Marion Center," said Senator Don White, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

"I was there to pay my respects to Sergeant McCaulley and I saw their contemptible behavior. I have the deepest gratitude for the 130 Patriot Guard Riders who stood guard between those individuals and the mourners. The families of fallen service members suffer enough pain and anguish without having to endure the antics of those unscrupulous individuals who would tarnish a solemn occasion to promote themselves and their opinions."

SB 1150 would require protesters to remain 500 feet from any funeral, memorial service or memorial procession beginning one hour before, and ending one hour after, the event. First-time violators would be charged with a third-degree misdemeanor; subsequent violations would result in a second-degree misdemeanor charge.

The legislation was supported by the American Legion, the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police and the Pennsylvania War Veterans Council. Wisconsin, Indiana and South Dakota recently enacted laws limiting protests at funerals and at least 12 other states. On Memorial Day, President Bush signed federal legislation that would limit protests at memorial services in national cemeteries.