(WASHINGTON) — President Barack Obama signed a bill into law Monday that prohibits protests within 300 feet of military funerals two hours before and after services.
"The graves of our veterans are hallowed ground," said President Obama. "And obviously we all defend our Constitution and the First Amendment and free speech, but we also believe that when men and women die in the service of their country and are laid to rest, it should be done with the utmost honor and respect."
Although not mentioning it by name, the law seeks to limit protests by Topeka's Westboro Baptist Church. In 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the group is entitled to protest military funerals even when those protests cause pain to family members and others attending the funeral.
However, the court did not say there cannot be restrictions on those protests. That's where the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 comes in.
