State Senator Ron Alting
200 West Washington Street – Indianapolis , Indiana 46204
NEWS RELEASE 01.30.06
Contact: Jim Wisco (317) 232-9521
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senate Bill 5 will make disorderly conduct at all funerals a Class D felony if the actions occur at a funeral home, the procession or at the grave site. Indiana currently has a statute (IC 35-45-1-3) that makes disorderly conduct at airports, airport hangars and parking areas a Class D felony.
“I think every person's funeral is entitled to peace and quiet, especially if the family wants a prayer and ceremony at the grave side,” Alting said.
An extremist group headquartered in Kansas has gained notoriety by staging vulgar, disruptive protests at funerals nationwide, particularly those of fallen soldiers. They have picketed at several funerals in Indiana and have celebrated last year's Evansville-area tornado.
“This legislation is not an attack on freedom of speech,” said Alting. “It simply ensures that grieving families have the right to lay their son or daughter, wife or spouse, friend or relative to rest without being harassed and taunted. Our soldiers die to not only insure freedom of speech but also the rule of law. The Supreme Court has approved a similar buffer zone in other situations.”
SB 5 passed the Senate by a vote of 47-1 and will now be considered by the House of Representatives.
Alting represents Senate District 22, which includes portions of Tippecanoe County .
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