Dutch pursuing legislation to limit funeral protests
Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger says he will introduce a bill in Congress Tuesday that would make it illegal to protest at military funerals.
The “Safe Haven for Heroes Act” follows the Supreme Court ruling last week that upheld the right of the Westboro Baptist “Church” to protest America’s supposed tolerance of homosexuality at memorial services for fallen troops.
The case stemmed from the group’s crude demonstration outside the Westminster funeral of Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder in 2006.
The small group, which consists largely of members of a single family, has created an outsized profile in the media with picket signs that read “God hates fags” and “Thank God for dead soldiers” and a website that has featured stick figures engaged in anal sex and an animation showing torture/murder victim Matthew Shepard in Hell. It has been identified by the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group.
“We need to thank God for the service and sacrifice of our American military fighting for our freedom,” Ruppersberger said in a statement. “The right to free speech is a valuable liberty that we all cherish as Americans. While I respect the recent Supreme Court decision, I wanted to find a way to stop groups like Westboro from using military funerals as occasions to promote their own political agenda and inflict incalculable harm on the grieving families of our troops.”
The Baltimore County Democrat said the bill would enable groups such Westboro to exercise their right to free speech without disrupting the funerals themselves or forcing funeral participants to encounter the protesters.
Comments
Good Ol Dutch. We can thank him for the expanded jail facility in Towson built next to a school and a church. Protesters negative reaction meant nothing to Dutch. Another career politician who should be voted out.
Posted by: ricky sparkles | March 7, 2011 5:57 PM
The Weston Baptist Church is an ignorant inconsiderate insensitive group.
Dutch Ruppersberger is ignorant to propose limits on ignorant speech.Which group is next for speech limitations?
By the way,the Southern Poverty Law Center and the ADL are not groups you want to hold out as arbiters of "hate groups".
Both have agendas that don't include Historic Americans with traditional Western Civilization values.
Posted by: Tony R | March 7, 2011 7:50 PM
What I find disturbing about Rep Ruppersberger's actions here is that he would only ban them from military funerals. If you agreed with their being banned, why wouldn't you ban them from everyone's funeral? Shouldn't everyone have equal opportunity to bury their loved ones in peace?
Why do so many people all too conveniently overlook that for years Westboro was doing their vile harassing at the funerals of LGBT people? Where was the outrage then?
Posted by: Bob R | March 7, 2011 8:21 PM
Good job Dutch!
at last someone has the guts to shut up these ignorant jerks....as for you people who wave the constitution in our faces....shame on you!
Posted by: Ray Barcia | March 7, 2011 8:31 PM
While the Westboro Baptist church is a horrible organization, they do have a freedom of speech guaranteed to them by the Constitution. I think the way to do this is to decriminalize assault on military funeral protesters so the protesters can get their @$$3$ kicked like they deserve.
Posted by: From Harford | March 7, 2011 9:10 PM
C'mon Dutch.
How about a bill that would prohibit states (like Maryland) from giving college tuition to illegals?
While your at it, this knee-jerk for limiting funeral protests, will it include provisions to limit celebrations at the passing of Democrats...any Democrat?
Hope not!
Posted by: CLS88 | March 7, 2011 9:42 PM
"What miserable drones and traitors have we nourished and brought up in our household, who let their own be treated with such shameful contempt by a low-born cleric?"
Posted by: Anonymous | March 7, 2011 9:50 PM
Our First Amendment also guarantees the right to a peaceful assembly. What should a funeral be if not a peaceful assembly? How can our nation enforce "hostile work environment" laws in the workplace, but not do ANYTHING to protect those that have died for us???? God help us!
Posted by: Karla OMalley | March 7, 2011 10:11 PM
Go Dutch. Worthy legislation indeed.
Posted by: Ellen Clarke | March 7, 2011 10:21 PM
Well I'm glad I didn't vote for him.
To everyone who says "well, they do have their first amendment rights...", shame on you. As an American, you shouldn't be grudgingly defending your fellow citizens first amendment rights. You should be doing it proudly.
Posted by: Howard | March 7, 2011 11:43 PM
All I can say is God Bless our Wayward son, Dutch.
He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, yet he continues to carry on.
Posted by: Carole | March 8, 2011 9:50 AM
yikes , some ppl NEVER learn. You cant ban free speech when you dont like someones point of view. americans are dumb as rocks. no mattr what you throw at wbc , they will win, they obey the law.
Posted by: Tony | March 8, 2011 1:43 PM