State of Arizona Passes Funeral Protection Zones Law‎

Arizona has passed an emergency law to head off picketing by Westboro Baptist Church near the funeral service for nine-year-old Christina Green who was killed during the mass shooting in Tucson this past weekend.

From the Wall Street Journal:

The law, which took effect immediately, sets up a 300-foot perimeter around funerals in the state, beginning one hour before the service and extending until one hour after.

Following the attack on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords that killed six and wounded 14, Fred Phelps, pastor of the Kansas-based church, took to the Internet to ”thank God for the violent shooter.” He also said his congregation would picket the funeral of Christina Taylor Green, the 9-year-old bystander killed in the gunfire.

“Such despicable acts of emotional terrorism will not be tolerated in the State of Arizona,” Ms. Brewer said in a statement “This legislation will assure that the victims of Saturday’s tragic shooting in Tucson will be laid to rest in peace with the full dignity and respect that they deserve.”

Westboro Baptist Church to Protest Funerals For Arizona Shooting Victims

Seriously? WTF is wrong with these people.

More than a dozen people were shot. Six have died including a 9 year old girl (who was born on September 11, 2001). **Edited for correct year**

Why protest the funerals?

I’ve read in the past that the Westboro Baptist Church is well known for protesting military funerals. I guess I just don’t understand some people…sometimes.

From the Tucson Citizen:

Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church says that God sent the shooter today.

His church also plans on protesting at the funeral of 9 year-old Christina Taylor Greene.

Caylee Anthony: Controversial Church to Protest Memorial

It appears that members of a controversial Kansas church known for protesting military funerals plan to picket Caylee Anthony‘s memorial Tuesday morning in Orlando.

So why would this group choose to protest this memorial? I don’t see any relevance.

Thoughts?

From the Orlando Sentinel:

The Westboro Baptist Church detailed its plans in a recent news statement, which concludes with the phrase: “GOD HATES AMERICA.”

The Topeka church claims that U.S. troops killed in combat are God’s punishment for a nation harboring homosexuals.

Westboro Baptist Church is considered a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Meanwhile, preparations are continuing for Caylee’s memorial service.

The service will be held 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Orlando, located at 3000 S. John Young Pkwy. The church is at the intersection of Interstate 4, southwest of downtown Orlando.

Click here to see a map:

The service is open to the public, but the Anthony family is reserving the right to refuse entry to certain people. No cell phones, still or video cameras will not be permitted inside the building. Purses, bags or backpacks also are not allowed. Everyone who attends the service has to pass through a metal detector.

The church’s worship center seats 5,000 people. The lawyer representing Caylee’s grandparents has said he expects the church to be packed.