Kentucky passes bill to twart Phelp's Ft. Campbell protest

[guruoo]

Kentucky Senate passes bill to keep protesters from funerals
Move prompted by planned picket at Fort Campbell
Associated Press

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Protesters would have to stay at least 300 feet from a funeral or a memorial service under a bill overwhelmingly approved today by Kentucky’s Senate.

Lawmakers are trying to expedite the bill and get it signed into law before an expected demonstration at a Fort Campbell memorial service next week.

The measure would have little effect on Wednesday's demonstration because the memorial service for soldiers is held on Fort Campbell and the picketers will not be allowed to enter the post. The picketing is planned outside Gate 4.

Members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., have toured the country protesting military funerals, carrying signs that read, “Thank God for IEDs,” the improvised explosive devices used by insurgents. Members of the church also went to West Virginia to protest at the funerals of dead coal miners last month. The group, largely the extended family of the Rev. Fred Phelps, sees the deaths as a sign of God punishing America for tolerating gays.
The House has a similar bill pending. The Senate bill passed on a 34-0 vote.

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