By The Associated Press
LANSING – Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed legislation May 23 restricting protests at funerals in Michigan.
The new law is designed to stop demonstrations by the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church, which has protested at funerals of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Topeka, Kan. church says that God is killing the soldiers to punish the U.S. for tolerating homosexuality.
The legislation bans any intentional disruption of funerals within 500 feet of the ceremony. Violating the statute would be a felony, punishable by up two years in prison and a $5,000 fine for the first offense and up to four years and $10,000 for a repeat offense.
"The governor has been appalled at the actions of protesters at the funerals of our fallen heroes," Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said.
