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Pippy & Regola Outline Legislation Limiting Protests During
Funerals
Reaction to Pickets & Abusive
Chants at PA Military Funerals
HARRISBURG -- State
Sen. John Pippy, R-Allegheny, Sen. Bob Regola, R-Westmoreland, and state Rep.
Jennifer Mann, D-Lehigh, today outlined legislation they are sponsoring to limit
the scope of protests at funerals and memorial services.
The lawmakers are taking
action in response to incidents of pickets and abusive chants targeting
Pennsylvania military funerals. Senators Pippy and Regola are sponsoring Senate
legislation (Senate Bill 1150), while Representative Mann is leading the effort
in the House of Representatives (House Bill 2496).
"These protests are
described as 'funeral disruptions,' but they are more than that; they are a
desecration," said Pippy. "These attention-seeking protesters should not be
allowed to tramp on the rights of the family and the memory of the person who is
being laid to rest. Our response is to let them shout. Let them spew their
venom. But not when heartbroken family members are trying to grieve."
"We're not trying to limit
these protestors' right to free speech, no matter how we feel about what they're
saying," said Mann. "We are just trying to place their protest at a respectful
distance so families can say their goodbyes in peace. This legislation would
prevent all protests at all funerals, regardless of the topic, and would protect
families' privacy and their right to mourn the loss of their loved one."
"It's sadly ironic that
these people abuse their right to free speech by disrupting the memorial
services for those who protect all of the other rights that we enjoy as
Americans," said Regola. "There is no place for that type of disrespectful
behavior. It is intolerable and I hope we move this legislation on to the
governor's desk as quickly as possible."
The bills would require
protesters to remain 500 feet from any funeral, memorial service or memorial
procession beginning one hour before and ending one hour after the event.
Violators would be charged with a third-degree misdemeanor.
The legislators, joined by a
bipartisan group of lawmakers from both chambers, said they introduced their
bills because they were disturbed about recent news reports of protestors at
military funerals in Pennsylvania and around the country. The pickets target
grieving family members with vulgar language to protest social, not military,
issues.
National Commander of the
American Legion, Thomas Bock, and Pennsylvania State Commander James Hales, Jr.
were on hand at the Capitol news conference to show their support for the
legislation, along with Ken Marx of the veterans' group PA Rolling Thunder.
"We're here to give our
support to the servicemen and women who have sacrificed their lives during the
course of their duties, and to the families they have left behind," Marx said.
Wisconsin, Indiana and South
Dakota have recently enacted laws limiting protests at funerals, and at least 12
other states are considering similar legislation.
Senate Veterans Affairs and
Emergency Preparedness Committee Chairman Don White (R-Indiana) said he looks
forward to getting the legislation before the committee.
"It is a sad state of
affairs when legislation is necessary to ensure common decency," said White.
"The families of fallen service members suffer enough pain and anguish without
having to endure the antics of those unscrupulous individuals who would tarnish
a solemn occasion to promote themselves and their opinions."
Along with the American
Legion, the legislation is supported by the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of
Police and the Pennsylvania War Veterans Council.
Sen. Bob Regola (R-39), right, speaks at a March
14 news conference to announce legislation that would limit protests during
military funerals. Sen. John Pippy (R-37), left, is the measure's prime
sponsor.
 
Pippy
Regola
Tomlinson
Don White
Written Remarks
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