Posted on 12/21/2005 3:05:58 PM PST by No Longer Free State
"To intrude on a family over a cause of gay rights...is just pathetic," says Councilman Jerry Russell.
Russell echoes the sentiment of at least 10 others who speak out at city hall.
They`re upset over protests like one at Sergeant Edward Myers funeral last August. Protesters have said in the past that soldiers` deaths are gods retribution for America`s tolerance of homosexuals.
"You drive by these people who are dragging the flag on the ground and I just can`t imagine what the widow is going through," says JL Robertson, Director of Rupp Funeral Home.
With Monday night`s vote, council unanimously approved a bill originally sponsored by councilman Bob Boeger. The bill makes it illegal to protest at any funeral from an hour before the service until an hour afterwards.
Funeral home directors and veterans joined in support of this bill. But they know this fight may just be beginning. Many in attendance at Monday nights` meeting worry the ACLU is likely to view this action as an infringement on first ammendment rights.
"The organization you`re up against is chalk full of lawyers, they`re dedicated to what they do...you`re probably in for a lawsuit, but I just want to say you`re doing the right thing," commented one supporter.
"If they want to take us to court that`s fine, because i think that this ordinance will be backed up by the silent majority," said Russell.
Mayor David Jones said Monday the city`s attorney was confident the bill was constitutional. Whether the ACLU will take issue with the decision is still to be seen.
They are lucky that is all that happened. They are so insulting I am surprised no one has punched their lights out.
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