In other news briefs, I'm glad they finally passed a law of this kind:
Quote:
Calif. Senate OKs bill restricting funeral protests after US Supreme Court free speech ruling
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A Kansas-based group that has used inflammatory language to protest military funerals nationwide prompted California lawmakers to restrict how close such protesters can get to funeral services and religious observances.
The state Senate on Wednesday passed a bill by Sen. Ted Lieu that requires such groups to stay 1,000 feet from a burial site, mortuary or place of worship.
His bill, SB888, was in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in March that said protests by the Westboro Baptist Church are protected free speech. Members of the Topeka, Kan.-based church picket funerals, contending God is punishing the military for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.
The bill by Lieu, a Torrance Democrat, makes it a misdemeanor to protest within the 1,000-foot perimeter for an hour before or after a funeral.