Arizona Legislature To Announce Anti-Westboro Law To Protect Shooting Victims

Arizona's state legislature has announced a legislative effort to combat the infamous Westboro Baptist Church's plans to picket the funerals of the shooting victims in Tucson over the weekend.

"We're going to try to protect the families from undue harassment," State Rep. Daniel Patterson (D), one of the leaders of a bipartisan group of legislators, told Talking Points Memo Monday.

While the Topeka-based congregation has been best known for their incendiary anti-gay, pro-dead soldier messages, they have now decided to take their insensitive protest to the services of victims -- including a 9-year-old girl and a 30-year-old Giffords aide who was set to be married -- killed by Jared Lee Loughner on Saturday.

The chair of the Pima County GOP, for one, has since said that he thinks such a law is a dangerous infringement on free speech laws.

"I don't know what's in the law, but I do think it's indicative of always looking to the law to solve problems," Brian Miller told TPM in a later interview. "We will not sign on or advocate any policy that limits free speech."

Miller tells TPM that there are plans to enact a non-legislative, 1st Amendment-preserving blockade to the agitating religious group:

The county GOP and the Pima County Democrats plan to work jointly to stage a counter-protest that Miller says will "block" Westboro and its infamous leader, Fred Phelps, from getting close to the mourners.

The Supreme Court is currently considering a case against Westboro filed by the father of a dead Marine who is trying to seek damages from the group, which picketed his son's funeral.

Comments

[Anne Knighten]

02:44 AM on 01/16/2011

Bad behavior does not justify bad law. What this group is doing is abhorrent, but the group is still entitled to the rights of free speech and assembly provided by the First Amendment. Perhaps the way to treat these hatemongers is by hitting them where it hurts by (1) declining to provide them with media coverage; and (2) removing any tax-exempt status they have as a "church."

[Shogun1x]

05:33 PM on 01/12/2011

First good thing arizonas done in a while.

[barrycourage]

12:14 PM on 01/12/2011

Yeesh!

You would think with all those birds dieing because of DADT repeal these folks would have better things to do.

[fbm10]

11:39 AM on 01/12/2011

why don't the people in Kansas protest them? Just wondering

[DoctorWhoDat]

10:55 AM on 01/12/2011

The law will be overturned by the SCOTUS. And possible financial settlement will be paid to the WBC if this law is enforced.
The best way to handle the WBC is not to provide media coverage and no police protection.

[Peter007]

10:32 AM on 01/12/2011

The reason for the 1st amendment is to protect unpopular speech. It is to protect the views of people in which the vast majority of other citizens disagree with.
It wasn't written to protect popular speech.

[LeFlaneur]

10:15 AM on 01/12/2011

Be careful. These guys are repulsive, it can't be denied. But we should be careful not to pass reactive laws.

[Charles Elk]

10:12 AM on 01/12/2011

Too bad JJL didn't go nanners on these folk. Just Sayin'.

[Charles Elk]

10:29 AM on 01/12/2011

JLL, my bad.

[KIVPossum]

10:38 AM on 01/12/2011

Can't believe that got through

[Charles Elk]

01:46 PM on 01/12/2011

Me too.

[ilaughtilicried]

08:59 AM on 01/12/2011

This Calvinistic/Baptist franchise has no rhyme nor reason, no critical thinking, no civility, no respect for others and at the last count no RELIGION as defined by normal people. I'd keep an eye on them America, their deranged thinking could run to violence and guns as they evolve their own religious themes.

[bernikitty]

08:57 AM on 01/12/2011

i can't believed that i actually support something that has come out of the arizona legislature, but i do think that this is a good law.

these "protesters" are behaving like vultures, feeding off the grief of others, to promote their agenda. they know what they are doing is outrageous, and shameful,and they know it will get them attention.

making it unlawful for them to exploit other's peoples sorrow for their own twisted ends, will relegate them to the position they deserve--just another group of crazies hollering on a street corner.

[WryAwry]

08:48 AM on 01/12/2011

Introduce and pass legislation approving protests anywhere outside the three mile maritime limit.

[hagenjr]

08:43 AM on 01/12/2011

While I dont agree with there stance, I will not argue to limit there freedom of speech and any instance.

It behooves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of it in the case of others: or their case may, by change of circumstances, become his own.
Thomas Jefferson

[michael3ov]

08:42 AM on 01/12/2011

This was comforting. I wish I could be there to help.
http://www.yumasun.com/news/gilmer-66749-wbc-really.html

[istvan13]

08:37 AM on 01/12/2011

These hateful fools have the right of free speech. What the people in all areas that these anti-christians want to demonstrate, should be over whelmed by other people expressing their free speech. It's worked in other areas.

This is yet another attempt by the AZ legislators to suppliant the U.S. Constitution.

[HarperGal]

08:36 AM on 01/12/2011

I know we can't silence them, but, can't we just line the streets between the protesters & funeral venues with 18 wheelers & block their view?

[Readbetweentheelevens]

01:23 AM on 03/03/2011

If I had one, I'd volunteer my services to these families.