Arizona Gov. Brewer signs bill to ban Westboro Baptist Church protest at funerals

[News_Editor]

Arizona Gov. Brewer signs bill to ban Westboro Baptist Church protest at funerals

2011-01-12 10:56:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

PHOENIX (BNO NEWS) -- Arizona Governor Jan Brewer on Tuesday signed Senate Bill 1101 to assure grieving families and friends will be free from harassment and intimidation at the funerals of their loved ones.

The bill was quickly passed by lawmakers on Tuesday after the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) announced plans to protest at the funeral of 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green, who was killed last Saturday when Jared Lee Loughner opened fire at a political event by U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, Arizona.

As a result of the shooting, which sent shock waves around the United States, six people - including Greene and U.S. District Judge John Roll - were killed. U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who appears to have been the target, was critically injured as a result of a gunshot wound to her head.

The highly controversial independent Baptist church is known for its extreme stance against homosexuality and has previously protested at the funerals of fallen U.S. soldiers, leading to outrage and sometimes violence.

Just hours after the shooting, WBC announced it would picket the funerals of the six victims. "God appointed this rod for your sins! God sent the shooter!" a press release from WBC said, alleging that the shooting was the result of laws passed against WBC protests.

"So, God sent the shooter to shoot you! And He's sitting in Heaven laughing at you! Your federal judge is dead and your (fag-promoting, baby-killing, proud-sinner) Congresswoman fights for her life. God is avenging Himself on this rebellious house!" WBC stated through its press release, adding: "WBC prays for your destruction - more shooters, more dead carcasses piling up, young, old, leader and commoner - all. Your doom is upon you! Praise His Name! Thank God for his righteous judgements!"

The announcement led to new outrage against WBC and Arizona politicians pledged to pass a bill which would prevent the group from carrying out the funeral protest. "It is the most disgusting thing I ever read in my entire life. I literally threw up after I read it," Democratic state senator Kyrsten Sinema said on Fox News.

"Senate Bill 1101 creates a 300-foot barrier between picketers and any location where a funeral or burial service is held," said Brewer. "Any person who violates the legislation is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor."

Senate Bill 1101 also contained an emergency clause which meant that the new law was effective upon the signature of Brewer. "Such despicable acts of emotional terrorism will not be tolerated in the State of Arizona," the Governor added. "This legislation will assure that the victims of Saturday's tragic shooting in Tucson will be laid to rest in peace with the full dignity and respect that they deserve."

Brewer also commended the Arizona Legislature for coming together in a bipartisan manner to pass the legislation on the first full day of the legislative session. "This represents a remarkable spirit of unity and togetherness following Saturday's tragedy," she added.

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