Picketing Funerals Could Soon Be a Crime

Bill pending in legislature could make picketing funerals criminal disorderly conduct

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Story Created: Jan 24, 2012 at 4:15 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jan 25, 2012 at 2:10 PM AKDT

Picketing funerals could be labeled as criminal disorderly conduct under a bill pending in the legislature.

At their press availability Monday morning, members of the House majority said they are willing to test the constitutionality of restricting protest activities just before, during and just after the funeral services.

The bill would create a 150-foot buffer zone at cemeteries, churches and mortuaries during services, as well as an hour before and after.

“Freedom of speech works in both directions,” said Representative Carl Gatto. “Right to freedom of speech can be overrun by your right to freedom of speech. So should mine be secondary to yours, or yours secondary to mine? I think this tends to clarify where the limits of mine end, and that was at that number of foot distance."

The Westboro Baptist Church, in Kansas, has become notorious for sending protestors to military funerals, proclaiming, “God likes dead soldiers because of America’s tolerance for homosexuality.”

The representatives say they are not aware of any such activity in Alaska, but want to head it off.

 

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Mike said on Tuesday, Jan 24 at 8:13 PM

Wow, do we really have a problem with picketing funerals? Besides, this is unconstitutional. Obviously our legislature have nothing better to do than waste our dollars. If this is the best they're going to do, I hope they just turn around and go home...

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akrock said on Wednesday, Jan 25 at 8:24 AM

The problem I have with the protests and picketing is that these soldiers were sent into battle under the orders of our Presidents. Sure they volunteered but why not picket Washington, they are the ones that drew the line in the sand not the soldiers.

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ak_girl said on Tuesday, Mar 27 at 5:29 AM

It amazes me that we need to create more laws, I agree that its WRONG to picket any funeral, but why do we need to create a law? Why not just allow loaded buck shots of rock salt? cheap and effective solution to this problem...

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