Senate Passes Bill Criminalizing Protests Outside Churches
Categories: Gettin' All Religious Up in Here
 |
| Sen. Robert Mayer. |
Similar attempts to block WBC funeral protests at churches have been struck down by the Supreme Court for denying the protestors their First Amendment Rights. How is this bill going to avoid a similar legal test?
SB755 doesn't actually outlaw any protests at a church; it makes illegal any noisy protest during a worship service. So protestors can stand outside a church with their signs and shout, but they can't engage in "profane discourse, rude or indecent behavior or making unreasonable noise" once the service begins.
Violating the proposed law once results in a Class B misdemeanor; a second offense is a Class A misdemeanor. The third violation would be a Class D felony. The bill now goes to the Missouri House of Representatives.
Email to Friend
Write to Editor
Print Article
