Law introduced by Legislator Day will prohibit demonstrations within 750’ of funeral services
New City, NY (August 3, 2011) – The Rockland County Legislature passed a funeral privacy law at the August 2nd meeting that will prohibit demonstration activities within 750 feet of a commemorative service at a cemetery or other location that is held to honor a deceased individual. The law, introduced by Legislator Ed Day (New City-Pomona), received the unanimous approval of the Legislature.
Legislator Day, whose two sons serve in the U.S. Army, introduced the law to mitigate the potential for demonstration activities by a Midwest church group that for many years has picketed military funerals throughout the country. The group holds the demonstrations to draw attention to their view that U.S. deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq are God’s punishment for the Nation’s tolerance of homosexuality. The Rockland law establishes the 750 foot buffer for all funeral services held within the county.
In March of 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right of groups to picket military funerals by determining the act a constitutional liberty afforded by “freedom of speech”. However, Chief Justice John Roberts included language in the decision to encourage municipalities to establish reasonable buffers so “wounds inflicted by vicious verbal assaults at funeral will be prevented or at least mitigated”.
“It is hard to believe we need to legislate something that is common sense and common decency,” said Legislator Day. “I certainly understand the importance of our constitutional liberties, however, that said, there is also a line where one’s right of expression does intrude upon another’s right to not be subjected to a vicious and steady verbal and visual assault when burying a loved one. Today, I feel very proud to have been part of an effort to provide a well deserved solace to families during their time of grieving.”
Representatives from many county veterans groups were present to speak in support of this law.
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