Protest At Funerals

Citizen’s speak in favor of proposed bill
“Don’t waste your tears on fallen soldiers” and “God hates fags” are two of many picket signs held by radical religious groups protesting the funerals of soldiers and other Reno citizens.
“To me, funerals have always been seen as a sacred venture,” Josh Olsen, 24, U.S. military sergeant, and UNR ROTC member said. “It is a strictly familial affair. Protest is always about the appropriate time and place, and a funeral is not appropriate.”
Assembly Bill 1, the request to prohibit certain demonstration at a funeral, memorial service, or ceremony, proposed by Nevada Assemblyman Lynn Stewart (R-Clark County), is now under consideration. Stewart had the interests of soldiers and other families--like the family of Brianna Denison-- at heart while requesting this bill.
“I am a veteran,” Stewart said. “I wanted to protect the families of the soldiers.”
AB1 would amend the Nevada law setting parameters for protest.
Some may question this bill’s possible infringement on the First Amendment right to free assembly. However, given the specific language of the bill, it is not imposing on citizen’s civil liberties.
“The bill won’t restrict assembly, it will be placing a time-place-manner restriction,” David Ryfe, professor in the Reynold School of Journalism, said. “It is shaping your right, but not denying your right to assemble.”
The bill states: “A person shall not, during the period beginning 60 minutes before and ending 60 minutes after a funeral, memorial service or ceremony is held, engage in a demonstration that takes place within 300 feet of the location where the funeral, memorial service or ceremony is held. A person who violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.”
Ryfe said one test of the constitutionality of this bill relies on there being no alternative. This is an instance where no other course of action could keep the peace. This piece of legislation was made with state interest in mind. Those questioned on the issue find this bill to be both valid and necessary, especially those who have directly felt the effects of these protests.
Enlisted soldiers in Reno said they have felt the negative repercussions of actions taken by protestors to a high degree. Sean Lee, 25, and a business major at the University of Nevada-Reno, feels the right to free speech is often misused and abused and finds this bill to be completely legitimate. Lee has prior service with the U.S. military and has attended funerals of soldiers in which protests occurred.
“No matter what, soldier’s funerals should never be protested,” Lee said. “Funerals are sacred, regardless about how you feel about the war.”
While Stewart may have had soldiers in mind with the creation of this bill, it would have an effect on the lives of civilians as well, if it were to pass.
Outside of the funeral of Brianna Denison, protesters with the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan. stood with the intention to highlight their belief that God is killing U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan to punish America for condoning homosexuality, reported Scott Sonner of the Associated Press.
“If Brianna Denison dies, blame the corrupt Reno Police,” the church’s statement said.
Doniele Johnston, a 19-year-old nursing major at the University of Nevada- Reno, said she knew the impact it had on Denison’s family and the Reno community.
“I worked with Brianna Denison’s cousin,” Johnston said. “These family members are devastated. To be told your loved one died because God is punishing you is inappropriate, abrasive and nasty.”