Group to protest memorial service - PNW

[dochummer]

Drty, Rox...anybody else in the PNW busy March 4th?

Group to protest memorial service




Published Wednesday, February 21st, 2007
NATHAN ISAACS HERALD STAFF WRITER
Members of a controversial Midwestern church say they plan to protest the memorial service next month of Marine Corps Sgt. Travis Pfister of Richland, who was killed in Iraq two weeks ago.
"I know there is freedom of speech, but I don't think this is the proper place for a protest," said Jackie Pfister, Travis' stepmother. "We want to support him; he's a hero."
The Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas has announced plans to protest the March 4 memorial for Pfister at the TRAC facility in Pasco. The group has achieved national notoriety by picketing soldiers' funerals as part of its anti-gay agenda, regardless of the soldier's sexual orientation.
In response, Operation Thank You, a troop support group in the Tri-Cities, is rallying the public to band together to build a human shield and wave American flags to block the view of the protesters.
"We want to show our support to Travis' family and honor his sacrifice," said Jennifer Plemmons, who comes from a family of Marines, including a son now serving. "We'll also act as a shield so that the family doesn't have to see the protesters."
Pfister, 27, was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., with his unit, the 364th Division "Purple Foxes" helicopters. He was killed Feb. 7 in a helicopter crash in Iraq.
Pfister was the second Tri-Citian to die in Iraq in recent weeks. Army Sgt. Ross A. Clevenger, 21, formerly of Kennewick, died Feb. 8 when the vehicle he was riding in was hit with a bomb.
Pfister's memorial service was last weekend at the Hemet Veterans Memorial in Gibbel Park in Hemet, Calif.
Pfister's father, Richard, said the outpouring of support at the California service was tremendous. He said he, Travis' mother and Travis' wife each received Purple Heart medals posthumously awarded Pfister, as well as American flags that covered his casket.
"The Marines are a wonderful group and wonderful family and they take care of their men," Richard said. "Support has been fantastic."
He said the memorial planned in Pasco would be a chance for those in the Mid-Columbia who knew Travis to come together in a tribute.
Pfister's background has little to do with the planned protest. The Westboro group's Web site lists his and nine other military funerals, in six states, where they plan to protest in the next two weeks.
The Kansas church, which has about 70 members, claims soldiers are being killed because God is punishing America for tolerating homosexuality.
The church is not affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention or other Baptist denominations.
The group's Web site says it protests at military funerals "to warn the people who are still living that unless they repent, they will likewise perish."
The group protested in Yakima at the 2005 funeral of Sgt. Lawrence Morrison.
But a new state law prevents protesters from coming within 500 feet of a funeral or memorial service, military or civilian. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the bill into law Feb. 2 in Yakima, the same day as the funeral for Army Maj. Alan Johnson.
Washington is among 30 states that have passed the law, specifically addressing the church group's actions. A federal law barring funeral protests at national cemeteries was enacted last year.
Plemmons, with Operation Thank You, said her group regularly checks the church's Web site for announcements of its protests, which it calls "Love Crusades."
She said Operation Thank You has contacted the family, media, Washington State Patrol, Franklin County Sheriff's Office and the Pasco Police Department about its plans to show support for the family during Pfister's memorial.
"They don't need to be exposed to this group (the Westboro church) during this time of grief," she said.


http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/story/8657873p-8549730c.html

[dеiтайожни]

Anyone with connections that can get everyone affiliated with that church drafted?

[h2co-pilot]

I'm telling ya there has to be a law against that, outside the realm of free speech. It is so disgusting.

[Vettster]

Someone needs to advise this group:


www.patriotguard.org/

[GLBLWARMR]

I say let them protest and let them have their freedom of speech but I also say let the mourners hurl water ballons filled with piss at the protesters so they can also have their freedom of speech.

[BlueHUMMERH2]

http://www.pfda.org/pages/index.php?pID=31
Legal & Legislative
FUNERAL PROTEST LAW UPDATE

New Law Limiting Military-Funeral Protests at Non-Federal Cemeteries and Funeral Homes President Bush has signed into law legislation protecting military funerals from protests at non-federal cemeteries and funeral homes.

Specifically, the bill amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person to engage in an activity that disturbs the peace or good order of a funeral or impedes access to a funeral 60 minutes before and after a funeral, and within 150 feet of a funeral at a non-federal cemetery or funeral home. Violations could result in a fine and/or prison term of up to one year.

The law limiting protests at national cemeteries bars protests within 300 feet of a national cemetery’s entrance and within 150 feet of a road into the cemetery. This restriction applies from an hour before a funeral until an hour after. Violators would face up to a $100,000 fine and up to a year in prison.

Pennsylvania Funeral Protest Law requires protesters to remain at least 500 feet away from a funeral, memorial service or procession within an hour of the service, during the service, or an hour afterward. Violators could face up to a year in prison and $2,500 in fines. It allows for violators to be sued by the deceased’s family. And it allows courts to file an injunction to prevent a demonstration at a funeral from occurring.

[ROX]

Originally Posted by GLBLWARMR

I say let them protest and let them have their freedom of speech but I also say let the mourners hurl water ballons filled with piss at the protesters so they can also have their freedom of speech.

That's right up there with throwing ice on the people that cut you off in traffic. Prison time for sure.

[HummBebe]

Originally Posted by Vettster

Someone needs to advise this group:


www.patriotguard.org/

Wow that is a great site.....thanks for posting.

[GLBLWARMR]

Originally Posted by H2 Rocks

That's right up there with throwing ice on the people that cut you off in traffic. Prison time for sure.

yeah it would be worth it.

[lennyrebel]

Originally Posted by BlueHUMMERH2

http://www.pfda.org/pages/index.php?pID=31
Legal & Legislative
FUNERAL PROTEST LAW UPDATE

New Law Limiting Military-Funeral Protests at Non-Federal Cemeteries and Funeral Homes President Bush has signed into law legislation protecting military funerals from protests at non-federal cemeteries and funeral homes.

Specifically, the bill amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person to engage in an activity that disturbs the peace or good order of a funeral or impedes access to a funeral 60 minutes before and after a funeral, and within 150 feet of a funeral at a non-federal cemetery or funeral home. Violations could result in a fine and/or prison term of up to one year.

The law limiting protests at national cemeteries bars protests within 300 feet of a national cemetery?s entrance and within 150 feet of a road into the cemetery. This restriction applies from an hour before a funeral until an hour after. Violators would face up to a $100,000 fine and up to a year in prison.

Pennsylvania Funeral Protest Law requires protesters to remain at least 500 feet away from a funeral, memorial service or procession within an hour of the service, during the service, or an hour afterward. Violators could face up to a year in prison and $2,500 in fines. It allows for violators to be sued by the deceased?s family. And it allows courts to file an injunction to prevent a demonstration at a funeral from occurring.

It's a sad state of affairs when the President has to pass a law to insure common decency at a time of mourning. But I am sure glad He did. Regards The Rebel

[dochummer]

Just checked the patriot riders website. They're gonna be there...

http://www.patriotguard.org/Forums/t...c/Default.aspx

"Per the CAO the Family definately wants to invite the Patriot Guard Riders to attend this service.
Date: March 4, 2007
Time: 1300 Hours (1:00 pm)
Location: Exhibition Hall at the Trak facility in Pasco WA.

Staging time and location: Undetermined at this time, I hope to have this completed by approx. Feb. 21, 2007

Please watch here for details as they emerge.

Jeff Matson
Yakima WA District Captain

************************************************** ************************************************** ****************************


Jeff: We got confirmation from the family of SGT Travis Pfister for the PGR to honor their son, here in Washington and in California. Shirley Schmunk, our Chairperson for Funerals/Memorials has been talking with Lori, Travis' Mother who wants to honor not only her son, but all the local "fallen heroes" at the memorial which will be at the TRAC in Pasco, March 4, 2007 at 1:00pm. Lori, the Mom is on her way to Camp Pendelton today by plane, but is in contact with Shirley by cell phone, Shirley will let her know that the WA PGR can contact the California PGR to have them at the ready to honor her son there too, we will get back to you with the information on who to call in California. Thank you so much and God Bless you for what you guys do."

[dochummer]

In addition, doesn't the ammendment signed in december of last year prohibit them from protesting within 60 mins before and after the ceremony? The ammendment also makes the law applicable no matter where the service is held (ie, the TRAC is a convention center)?
If I read it right, that means these crazies are planning to either break the law, or were going to protest before and after the ceremony...


http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-...:pub l464.109

[DOCID: fubl464.109]

[[Page 120 STAT. 3480]]

Public Law 109-464
109th Congress

An Act


.
To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit disruptions of
funerals of members or former members of the Armed Forces. <<NOTE: Dec.
22, 2006 - [S. 4042]>>

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. RESPECT FOR THE FUNERALS OF FALLEN HEROES.

(a) In General.--Chapter 67 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``Sec. 1388. Prohibition on disruptions of funerals of members or former
members of the Armed Forces

``(a) Prohibition.--For any funeral of a member or former member of
the Armed Forces that is not located at a cemetery under the control of
the National Cemetery Administration or part of Arlington National
Cemetery, it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in an activity
during the period beginning 60 minutes before and ending 60 minutes
after such funeral, any part of which activity--
``(1)(A) takes place within the boundaries of the location
of such funeral or takes place within 150 feet of the point of
the intersection between--
``(i) the boundary of the location of such funeral;
and
``(ii) a road, pathway, or other route of ingress to
or egress from the location of such funeral; and
``(B) includes any individual willfully making or assisting
in the making of any noise or diversion that is not part of such
funeral and that disturbs or tends to disturb the peace or good
order of such funeral with the intent of disturbing the peace or
good order of that funeral; or
``(2)(A) is within 300 feet of the boundary of the location
of such funeral; and
``(B) includes any individual willfully and without proper
authorization impeding the access to or egress from such
location with the intent to impede the access to or egress from
such location.

``(b) Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be
fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both.
``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `Armed Forces' has the meaning given the term
in section 101 of title 10.
``(2) The term `funeral of a member or former member of the
Armed Forces' means any ceremony or memorial service

[[Page 120 STAT. 3481]]

held in connection with the burial or cremation of a member or
former member of the Armed Forces.
``(3) The term `boundary of the location', with respect to a
funeral of a member or former member of the Armed Forces,
means--
``(A) in the case of a funeral of a member or former
member of the Armed Forces that is held at a cemetery,
the property line of the cemetery;
``(B) in the case of a funeral of a member or former
member of the Armed Forces that is held at a mortuary,
the property line of the mortuary;
``(C) in the case of a funeral of a member or former
member of the Armed Forces that is held at a house of
worship, the property line of the house of worship; and
``(D) in the case of a funeral of a member or former
member of the Armed Forces that is held at any other
kind of location, the reasonable property line of that
location.''.

(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 67 of such title is amended by inserting after the item related
to section 1387 the following new item:

``1388. Prohibition on disruptions of funerals of members or former
members of the Armed Forces.''.



Approved December 22, 2006.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 4042:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 152 (2006):
Dec. 7, considered and passed Senate.
Dec. 8, considered and passed House.

[Vettster]

Originally Posted by HummBebe

Wow that is a great site.....thanks for posting.

I urge everyone to check it out.
I am an affiliate even though due to where I live, I don't have the opportunity to attend any of the functions.
But, like they say, theres strength in numbers.

http://www.patriotguard.org/

Tread Lightly,
Vettster

[usetosellhummer]

They are trying to pass one here. our local DPS put the man wall around them so they could not be seen well from any mourners

[BlueHUMMERH2]

Doc, I think it means that they can't be within a certain distance 1 hour before or after. So for instance, at -1:01, they could stand on the grave, and at +1:01 they could do so again.

[mdoyle]

The so-called church that is protesting is made up mostly of the Phelps family. They have several lawyers in the family and the church is mostly funded by the lawsuits they file when their protest meet resistance.

They have cameras and recording equipment running anytime they are in public to document the confrontations and they are skilled at avoiding any activity that would damage their case.

Anything done to them at all will result in their filing suit against that person, city officials, and every city and state law enforcement agency affiliated with protecting their freedom of speech.

So not only is it sickening that they protest at funerals, they're also clogging up the legal system and recovering settlements at the expense of taxpayers.

[DRTYFN]

Not if it's done from a distance.

[ssgharkness020147]

Why dont one of you Kansas owners go and burn their church down while they are all out of town. I'm amazed these "people" are allowed to get away with this. Too bad this country is so ****ing soft now, not too long ago the gov would have tolerated its citizens dealing with this problem.

[dochummer]

Originally Posted by mdoyle

The so-called church that is protesting is made up mostly of the Phelps family. They have several lawyers in the family and the church is mostly funded by the lawsuits they file when their protest meet resistance.

They have cameras and recording equipment running anytime they are in public to document the confrontations and they are skilled at avoiding any activity that would damage their case.

Anything done to them at all will result in their filing suit against that person, city officials, and every city and state law enforcement agency affiliated with protecting their freedom of speech.

So not only is it sickening that they protest at funerals, they're also clogging up the legal system and recovering settlements at the expense of taxpayers.

I'm guessing that the local law enforcement and cities are probably well aware of this?