A sweeping veterans bill was passed by Congress this week that does include restrictions for protests held at the funeral of military personnel. This legislation will make it more difficult for Westboro Baptist Church to protest military funerals across the United States. The bill, which is titled “The Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012,” is not waiting for the signature of President Barack Obama. According to the bill, protestors are not permitted to picket at military funerals two hours prior to or two hours following the services. The legislation also makes it illegal for protestors to be less than 300 feet from the family.
The portion of the bill regarding funeral protests was created by Senator Olympia Snowe, a Republican from Maine. She was urged to create this portion of the legislation by one of her teen constituents. Thousands of people began attending military funerals recently in an effort to counter-protest the protests of Westboro Baptist Church members.
In Missouri in July, a ‘human wall’ was created surrounding a church where a soldier’s funeral was being held. The ‘human wall’ was formed to keep the Westboro Baptist Church protestors from getting close to the church. In the same month, students and alumni from Texas A&M created a human wall to protect a military funeral from the protests of Westboro Baptist Church.
First off, I am an active duty soldier. I in no way agree with the westburogh church and their protests, but I signed up to protect our country from enemies foreign and domestic. Why is it our freedom of speech and the right to protest is being limited. Every one of my fallen brothers and sisters gave their lives defending the people of this great country and the constitution of the united states. This bill bothers me. What will come next? Limitations on the right of a fair and speedy trial? I say let the American people be able to protest whenever and where ever we choose. I am a patriot, I would greatly enjoy beating everyone that protests a millitary man or woman’s funeral into a bloody pulp but I know that is their right, so I hold myself back. This bill mockes everything my brothers and sisters in arms stand for. Solution? Government fund the patriot guard. X millitary on motorcycles and giant American flags that escort the funeral procession and blockade the protesters with the thunderous roar of their bikes and block the view with their flags. As Americans, we have forgot what this country’s foundation was built for. I can’t think of any better example of being an American than witnessing a fallen soldiers funeral, greeting family, the patriot guard and that church. Let them protest. They may recruit new members to their church but what they dont realize is the spark of patriotism they also create.