LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky's law forbidding protests within 300 feet of military funerals and memorial services was suspended temporarily Tuesday after a federal judge ruled it was too broad.
The law passed earlier this year was aimed at members of a Topeka, Kan., church who have toured the country protesting at military funerals. The Westboro Baptist Church believes the soldiers' deaths are a sign of God punishing America for tolerating homosexuality.
U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell wrote that the law could restrict the free-speech rights of people in nearby homes, sidewalks and streets, even if they cannot be seen or heard by funeral participants.
The 300-foot zone "is large enough that it would restrict communications intended for the general public on a matter completely unrelated to the funeral as well as messages targeted at funeral participants," Caldwell wrote in a ruling issued in Frankfort.
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Those found guilty of violating the law, which also applies to memorial services, wakes and burials, would face up to a year in jail.
About a dozen states have similar laws in place, and Congress passed a law earlier this year prohibiting protests at military funerals at federal cemeteries.
Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo said he would consider an appeal.
"I believe that society has an interest in honoring its war dead. Funerals are times of sacred and solemn reflection which must be protected from aggressive disruption," Stumbo said.
Lili Lutgens, general counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, which filed the suit, said Caldwell "reinforced the importance of freedom of expression," and that the ACLU will seek a permanent injunction throwing out the law.
Shirley Phelps-Roper, attorney for and member of Westboro Baptist Church, praised Caldwell's ruling.
"I'm surprised, but I'm happy about it," Phelps-Roper said.
Westboro Baptist issued a statement Tuesday night saying members would be in the southeastern town of London on Saturday to picket the funeral for a Kentucky National Guard soldier who died last week in Iraq.
During their protests, members carry such signs as "Thank God for IEDs," the improvised explosive devices used by insurgents in Iraq.
