The Chicago Tribune reports that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday signed the "Let Them Rest In Peace Act" to prevent a Topeka church group from conducting anti-gay protests at soldiers' funerals. Public Act 094-0772 prohibits loud demonstrations at funerals, and prohibits visual images that contain fighting words or actual or veiled threats within 200 feet of a funeral. It also prohibits blocking anyone's entry to or exit from to a funeral. The prohibitions apply for 30 minutes before and after the funeral ceremony. Other states have passed similar laws.
Shirley Phelps-Roper, attorney for the Westboro Baptist Church said that despite the law, pickets would be at the Illinois funeral of Afghanistan veteran Christopher Donaldson on Friday. Defiantly, she said, "The law is impotent. You've done nothing to change that God is killing your children and sending them home from battle. Keep your big, fat snout out of our religion."
