States try to stop funeral protests

CHICAGO, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Lawmakers in at least five states are trying to stop a Baptist pastor from demonstrating at funerals of Iraq war dead.

The Rev. Fred Phelps and members of his Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro Baptist Church say the deaths are God's punishment for U.S. tolerance toward gays, The Washington Post reported.

The protesters say the deaths, as well as Hurricane Katrina, recent mining disasters and other tragedies are God's signs of displeasure, the newspaper said.

"The families weren't able to bury their loved ones in peace," said Kansas state Sen. Jean Schodorf, who has proposed legislation keep protesters 300 feet away from any funeral or memorial service and ban demonstrations within one hour before or two hours after a service. "We felt pretty strongly that we needed to do something about it."

Legislators in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Oklahoma are looking at similar bills.

Shirley Phelps-Roper, Phelps's daughter and an attorney for the church, said if legislation passes, the group would challenge it in court. "Our goal is to call America an abomination, to help the nation connect the dots. You turn this nation over to the fags and our soldiers come home in body bags."