In a move that should be emulated by all state governors, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed an emergency legislation last night in an effort to prevent members of Kansas’ infamous Westboro Baptist Church from picketing the funeral of Christina Green, the nine-year-old girl who was shot Saturday outside a Safeway in Tucson.
The law now outfits all funeral services in the Arizona with a protective 300-meter barrier from one hour before the service to one hour after it finishes.
Gov. Brewer released the following statement after signing the law, which was passed unanimously by Arizona legislature: “This legislation will assure that the victims of Saturday’s tragic shooting in Tucson will be laid to rest in peace with the full dignity and respect that they deserve.”
The attack last week, that killed six and wounded 14 others, including Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was praised by Westboro pastor Fred Phelps, who said he ”thank(s) God for the violent shooter.”
In a YouTube video posted on Jan. 9, Phelps said “God appointed the Afghanistan veteran to avenge himself on this evil nation,” referring to Jared Lee Loughner, the 22-year-old American charged in the shooting. Phelps goes on to call Loughner a “soldier hero” in the video.
The church also posted a press release, in which they claim “God cut this child off,” referring to nine-year-old Green.
In the past, Westboro has picketed the funerals of Elizabeth Edwards, Michael Jackson and Matthew Shepard, the man who was beaten to death in Wyoming because of his homosexuality.
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