Bill passed to derail protests at military funerals

Bill passed to derail protests at military funerals

WASHINGTON — A new federal law bars protests within 300 feet of the entrance of a cemetery and within 150 feet of a road into the cemetery from 60 minutes before until 60 minutes after a military funeral. Violators would face up to a $100,000 fine and up to a year in prison.

The measure, signed into law by President George W. Bush May 29, specifically targets protesters from a Kansas church in order to end protests the group has staged at military funerals at all 122 national cemeteries.

The Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act passed the Senate without objection and with no recorded vote May 24 after a nearly identical bill cleared the House 408–3 two weeks earlier.