Town of Hebron, IN, to restrict public protest

[rambone]

Tonight the town of Hebron is going to create Free Speech Zones with its ban on public protest at funerals. As disgraceful as funeral protesters are, it is a form of public expression that you simply cannot restrict according to the First Amendment.

This is a statement issued by Town Councilman Travis Gearheart on a Facebook event page.

Landmark Town Of Hebron Ordinance Against Funeral Protests
On Tuesday, March 19th, the Hebron Town Council will be passing an ordinance restricting the protesting of funerals. Everyone has heard of the problems in different areas where groups have shown up and have disrespected those that have given their lives for their country by gleefully protesting; all the while the family is robbed of their chance to mourn in peace. This will not stand in Hebron. If you are a service man or women or if you believe that people should have the right to grieve for their loved ones in peace, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation, you are invited to this landmark passing of our ordinance limiting the protests to no closer than 300 feet an hour before, during, and an hour after a funeral. Thank you.
​

The meeting is tonight:
Tuesday, March 19th @ 7:00 PM

Hebron Community Center
611 N. Main Street
Hebron, IN 46341


If you don't want Indiana towns to be a national disgrace for violating free speech, let the councilmembers know.

Hebron Town Councilmembers

Peter Breuckman, pete.breuckman@visithebron.org 996-2728
Don Ensign, don.ensign@visithebron.org 996-7783
Travis Gearhart, travis.gearhart@visithebron.org 996-2086
Joyce Kaczmarski, joyce.kaczmarski@visithebron.org 996-4023
Dave Peeler, dave.peeler@visithebron.org 996-6010​

 

[thegunshow]

I have to agree, these people gave their life deserve to be laid to rest without these idiots. I applaud the town...its not saying that can't protest they just have to be 300 feet away.

 

[OneShotFOGE]

I think its fair to restrict protesting at funerals. They never restricted it before because society used to be decent enough that you didnt have make that a law.

 

[thegunshow]

I think its fair to restrict protesting at funerals. They never restricted it before because society used to be decent enough that you didnt have make that a law.

You hit the nail on the head....it seems as tho respect is no where to be found these days

 

[Rhoadmar]

I just don't see how anyone has the right to protest at a funeral. Does anyone have the right to protest a family picnic or birthday party without it being considered harassment or assault? Aren't the funeral protesters violating the expression of grief and mourning for the recently deceased?

 

[rambone]

I think it is a disgrace to veterans to restrict the Bill of Rights in their name. How many people died to protect those freedoms? Shame on you.

 

[KLB]

I just don't see how anyone has the right to protest at a funeral. Does anyone have the right to protest a family picnic or birthday party without it being considered harassment or assault? Aren't the funeral protesters violating the expression of grief and mourning for the recently deceased?

If the protesters are on public property, yes they have the right to protest any of those gatherings.

If the protesters of the funerals are on public property, they should be allowed to protest the funeral as well. I can't imagine why anyone would want to, but they should be able to.

 

[Rhoadmar]

If the protesters are on public property, yes they have the right to protest any of those gatherings.

If the protesters of the funerals are on public property, they should be allowed to protest the funeral as well. I can't imagine why anyone would want to, but they should be able to.

Ok, so one group(the protesters) rights trump the rights of the family expressing grief for their dead loved ones. Not.

 

[steveh_131]

Ok, so one group(the protesters) rights trump the rights of the family expressing grief for their dead loved ones. Not.

The first amendment protects your right to speak your mind in public.

The fact that you disagree with the words being spoken does not change this.

 

[rambone]

Ok, so one group(the protesters) rights trump the rights of the family expressing grief for their dead loved ones. Not.

Getting offended isn't an infringement on the right of expression.

An infringement is a government policy that sends people to jail for saying the wrong thing or holding a sign.

 

[Desdinova]

I would personally love to see every worthless piece of excrement that ever dared to protest at a military funeral put before a firing squad and I would give anything I have to be on the trigger...

But, regardless of how utterly despicable these birth control failures are by doing so, they are exercising the very rights that I hold dear and spent 4 years of my life in uniform defending.

 

[jbombelli]

I just don't see how anyone has the right to protest at a funeral. Does anyone have the right to protest a family picnic or birthday party without it being considered harassment or assault? Aren't the funeral protesters violating the expression of grief and mourning for the recently deceased?

Yes, yes and yes.

But... free speech should always be protected, even if it's hurtful, offensive and disrespectful.

Now, if someone ran over to them and laid a bat upside their heads, I would be an understanding juror and vote to acquit. If they were lucky enough to get me on their jury.

That said, let's say a brutal serial raping, torturing murderer was killed, and his funeral date/location was discovered. Let's say, further, that one of his victims was your daughter or wife. His close family and friends are in attendance (yes, even POS's like that have family and friends who care about them), and people show up to protest with signs that said "that's what you get" and "good riddance", etc. Would you have a problem with that? Most people I know would not. But is it really any different?

 

[Rhoadmar]

The first amendment protects your right to speak your mind in public.

The fact that you disagree with the words being spoken does not change this.

The grieving family is trying to speak their minds, expressing grief at a funeral is not protected speech? Is someone allowed to cause extra grief and emotional harm?

 

[Rhoadmar]

I don't see how requiring the protesters to be 300' away is violating the protesters rights.

 

[rambone]

The anti-constitutional opinions in this thread are violating my right to not be offended.

 

[Destro]

slander is not protected speech

 

[KLB]

The grieving family is trying to speak their minds, expressing grief at a funeral is not protected speech? Is someone allowed to cause extra grief and emotional harm?

No one is stopping them from expressing their grief.

Yes.

I don't see how requiring the protesters to be 300' away is violating the protesters rights.

Then you do not understand the Freedom of Speech.

 

[KLB]

hate speech is not protected speech

Really? The KKK and Nazis are not able to have public rallies and marches?

 

[Desdinova]

Is someone allowed to cause extra grief and emotional harm?

Simply put... the answer is yes. A person's right to free speech is protected under the First Amendment. However, there is no amendment protecting their feelings.

 

[CBR1000rr]

I think a more reasonable solution would be to allow the temporary insanity plea to be used when one of said protestors are attacked and flogged. The penalty for the alleged attacker is being forced to eat the best steak dinner on the planet.