Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Hoeven schedules signing ceremony for funeral protests measure

Hoeven schedules signing ceremony for funeral protests measure

Jan 25, 2007 - 04:00:31 CST

By DALE WETZEL
Associated Press Writer

Hoeven sets signing for funeral protest bill

Less than two days after it was approved, Gov. John Hoeven intends to sign legislation restricting protests at funerals.

In a statement, the governor said members of military families, Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, the commander of North Dakota's National Guard, and other officials would be attending a Capitol signing ceremony at noon today.

The bill says protesters may not demonstrate within 300 feet of a church, cemetery or any other funeral site less than an hour before the service, or within an hour afterward. Violators could be charged with disorderly conduct.

North Dakota's Senate voted 44-0 on Tuesday night to give the bill final legislative approval. The House approved it Jan. 12.

After Hoeven signs the measure today, it will take effect when it is filed in Secretary of State Al Jaeger's office, a process that takes a few minutes. Jaeger is scheduled to attend the signing ceremony.

The bill was prompted by demonstrations at the funerals of two North Dakota National Guard soldiers in Bismarck and Fargo last June. The protesters were members of a Kansas religious sect that says soldiers' deaths are God's punishment for the country's tolerance of homosexuals.

Members of a motorcycle group, the Patriot Guard Riders, attended both funerals and lined up to block the protesters' view. Members of the Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to the signing ceremony, a statement from Hoeven's office said.

The Kansas group's practice of demonstrating at soldiers' funerals prompted Congress and a number of states to approve similar legislation restricting protests at funerals. Some states have approved keeping funeral protesters 500 feet away.

Members of the group, the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., have said the restrictions are unconstitutional and that they would challenge them in court.

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Comments

Steve wrote on Mar 8, 2007 10:56 PM:

" Google "Loving God's Hate" to learn what hypocrites Phelps and his family are. The Topeka Capitol-Journal ran this expose, and three of the many things you will learn are; several Phelps' children no longer have anything to do with him as a result of terrible child abuse, Phelps was disbarred from the Federal Court system and Kansas due to ethics violations, and Phelps was successfully sued by a vendor who was owed over $5,000 dollars. It is curious to me that although most of his children are attorneys, there have been no lawsuits against the C-J for libel. "

Glaring omission wrote on Jan 26, 2007 7:06 AM:

" Dan, your efforts are praiseworthy. If the PGR has to form a shield at some point along the funeral procession route, we're right back where we started. Also, it's not feasible to change the route to the ND Veterans Cemetery. All I'm saying is they could have added one small provision to this bill to say protestors cannot be within 300 feet of the procession. Enforcement may not be easy, but I respectfully disagree with those who say it's not possible. Actually, I think we should give them a permit to protest in the bottom of the Missouri River. "

Dan wrote on Jan 25, 2007 3:41 PM:

" Glaring Omission: We discussed that very topic today after the signing of the bill. It's not possible or feasible to keep them away from the funeral procession route by law. However, if the whackjobs were to be spotted along a funeral procession route, or pull a permit from the police, you can bet that we (PGR) would be made aware of the location they would be set up at, and would immediately form ranks to shield the procession from their antics. Just because this law passed does not mean that the PGR is defunct. We will continue to pay tribute and honor the fallen and support their mourners. Law enforcement is always contacted by the PGR when we take part in funerals. If the Phelps Cult decides to get a permit and set up camp along a funeral procession route, the PGR would be there to form a human shield, or else the organizers of the funeral, along with law enforcement, could simply alter the route. This bill has definitely taken the teeth out of that yapping, annoying little mutt! "

Glaring omission wrote on Jan 25, 2007 2:59 PM:

" The intent of the bill is great, but it doesn't address an important issue. There is nothing to stop the protestors from standing on the side of the road on the way to the cemetery and shoving their disgusting signs in the faces of mourners in the funeral procession. They would need a permit, which is easy to get. "

Dan wrote on Jan 25, 2007 2:41 PM:

" The Abhorrent Communist Lawyers' Union can bark all they want on behalf of the Phelps Cult. This legislation will stand, without a doubt. I say let them fight it. All it will do is drain them of money to fight on the wrong side of issues all over the nation. "

Baptist Cult wrote on Jan 25, 2007 1:06 PM:

" Can you say - A.C.L.U.? They will get the last word in concerning this bill. I hope not - but it is inevitable. The A.C.L.U. has interfered with similar legislation in other states previously. This religious sect has no conscience or honor for our fallen soldiers. It is a travesty! "

Former Dakotan wrote on Jan 25, 2007 9:59 AM:

" Montana has a similar bill going through their legislature right now - because of the same Kansas group. I hope that group gets the message to go home and stay home. We don't want you in ND or MT. "

PGR 'dbeesh' wrote on Jan 25, 2007 9:56 AM:

" Thanks to Rep. Bette Grande for introducing it to the House Judicial Committee, Sen. Lyson for introducing it to the Senate Judiciary, the unanimous vote to pass those committees and the Session. Thank you to the mothers and family members who were there during the whole process. Thank you to the Governor for taking fast action to sign and register this law. Thanks to my Patriot Guard Rider brothers and sisters for your dedication to keep the family shielded from the UGs. Now let Roper-Phelps and her swarm try to challenge this in court. Attorney General Stenejhem has guaranteed us that he will fight to the end to defend this law. God Bless the USA and our troops AND their mission "

Dan wrote on Jan 25, 2007 8:06 AM:

" THANK YOU to the legislature and to Governor Hoeven. Let the Kansas whackjobs fight it. Decency will prevail over their hatred. "

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