Friday, March 3, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Offers Support to Law Enforcement as they Respond to Threatened Funeral Protest
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today offered his support to law enforcement facing the threat of protesters who have announced plans to break Missouri’s newest law and reiterated that grieving families’ rights should be protected.
“Our military heroes deserve to be honored without interruption. Their families deserve to grieve in peace without distraction. Protesters with no regard for the law or for the families they hurt should be arrested and prosecuted,” Blunt said. “Today I offer my full support to law enforcement and my prayers to Private First Class Marion’s family and friends.”
Army Pfc. Christopher L. Marion was killed last week by a roadside bomb in Iraq and will be buried Saturday in Anderson.
Members of a Kansas hate group have said they plan to protest the service, but Blunt warns they will face consequences for breaking the law. The Missouri State Highway Patrol in conjunction with the McDonald County Sheriff and local law enforcement plan to have at least 30 uniformed officers on hand to protect mourners’ from the absurd protest.
Senate Bill 578, also called Spc. Edward Lee Myers Law, enacts restrictions on protests at funerals and went into effect last week. The bill makes it illegal for any person or group to engage in a protest within one hour before and one hour following any funeral service. Individuals who violate the law are guilty of a Class B misdemeanor on the first offense and a Class A misdemeanor on subsequent offenses. The legislation was passed in response to an August protest in St. Joseph at the funeral of Spc. Edward Myers. Like Marion, Myers died in service to his country while stationed in Iraq.
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