CNS News - Legal Group Offers Assistance to Stop Protests at Military Funerals

September 5, 2006

(CNSNews.com) - A conservative civil liberties group is offering legal assistance to cities and states that want to make sure American servicemen and women who died in combat can be buried without inappropriate protests. The American Center for Law and Justice supported the Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act, which was signed into law and prohibits demonstrations on or immediately adjacent to federally operated cemeteries during funerals.

"The men and women of the Armed Forces who have given their lives for our freedoms deserve our honor and respect," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ, in a news release. "The family and friends of these fallen heroes must be afforded peace and privacy at funeral services. It is very troubling that a small group of protestors - which has the backing of the ACLU - is focused on trying to disrupt and berate these families," Sekulow said.

"These actions represent a gross distortion of the First Amendment and Supreme Court precedent clearly gives local governments and states the authority to act to prohibit this kind of disrespectful and hateful behavior," added Sekulow.