Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law emergency legislation aimed a banning the Westboro Church from protesting at funerals of those murdered in Saturday’s attempted assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
Both houses of the Arizona state Legislature voted unanimously Tuesday to create a “funeral protection zone,” preventing disruption from protesters at the funerals of those killed in Saturday’s shooting.
The bill bans protesters within 300 feet of a funeral service. The ban applies to one hour before, during or after a funeral service. Violations are classified as misdemeanor. The bill was classified as an emergency bill, requiring three-fourths of the Legislature. It takes effect immediately.
The move comes as the Kansas-based Westboro Church said it would protest the funerals of those killed in Saturday’s shooting.
“This bill passed unanimously out of both houses of the Arizona Legislature and represents a truly bipartisan effort to assure that grieving families and friends will be free from harassment and intimidation at the funerals of their loved ones,” Ms. Brewer said in a statement.
