Council Approves Funeral Picketing Ban

Kansas City again has a law restricting picketing at funerals, such as is done by members of the Westboro Baptist Church.

In 2009, the city repealed a funeral picketing law after a federal appeals court struck down a similar one – and Westboro members threatened to sue.  

That group that insists deaths of U.S. soldiers are God's punishment for America's tolerance of homosexuality.

But two weeks ago, following a US Supreme Court side-comment in a civil case, the same appeals court reversed its decision and upheld restrictions passed in Manchester, Missouri.  Councilman John Sharp says the city can't be sued this time.

“This ordinance mirrors word for word the ordinance that was upheld that was passed in Manchester, Missouri,” says Sharp.

The ordinance passed unanimously.  Demonstrations will be prohibited within 300 feet of any funeral or burial service from an hour before it begins until an hour after it is over.