Keith Olbermann is reporting (no better link yet, will add one shortly) that the emergency legislation that would ban protests near funeral sites has been passed by both houses of the AZ congress .
AZ House, Senate, unanimously pass emergency legislation keeping Westboro Church from picketing Thursday funeral of Christina-Taylor Green
SB 1101 proposed by our friend Senator @KyrstenSinema Provided Gov Brewer signs, prohibits protests near funeral sites,effective immediately
All indications are Gov. Brewer will sign, and Westboro will be kept away from this most innocent victim's farewell. Amen.
Personally, I think that as well-intentioned as this is, and as much as I despise Westboro Baptist, this is somewhat self-defeating. Westboro Baptist exists merely for attention. Passing special emergency legislation just for them (and of questionable legality, even) only serves to give them an existential victory.
There were already plans to completely drown them out anyways. I think sane people already had this covered without legislative help. But that's just me--feel free to disagree. I wouldn't blame you.
Update: A few comments below have pointed out that a far more productive and not merely symbolic legislative act would be to reinstate, for example, stricter rules regarding concealed carry.
Update 2: Since there's some discussion over the constitutionality of this bill, it might be worth having the bill itself to look at. It can be found here. The pertinent text:
A. A PERSON SHALL NOT PICKET OR ENGAGE IN OTHER PROTEST ACTIVITIES, AND AN ASSOCIATION OR CORPORATION SHALL NOT CAUSE PICKETING OR OTHER PROTEST ACTIVITIES TO OCCUR, WITHIN THREE HUNDRED FEET OF THE PROPERTY LINE OF ANY RESIDENCE, CEMETERY, FUNERAL HOME, CHURCH, SYNAGOGUE OR OTHER ESTABLISHMENT DURING OR WITHIN ONE HOUR BEFORE OR ONE HOUR AFTER THE CONDUCTING OF A FUNERAL OR BURIAL SERVICE AT THAT PLACE.
B. A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A CLASS 1 MISDEMEANOR.
C. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "OTHER PROTEST ACTIVITIES" MEANS ANY ACTION THAT IS DISRUPTIVE OR THAT IS UNDERTAKEN TO DISRUPT OR DISTURB A FUNERAL OR BURIAL SERVICE.
I'm not a law wonk so I can't really comment on the constitutionality beyond that it seems dubious to me. But worse, in my mind, is that this just gives Westboro Baptist another merit badge for their hate sash.
Update 3: I somehow completely missed this when it happens (as a longtime follower of the Phelps's antics, I'm surprised) but there's already a similar case involving them that's been taken up by the Supreme Court. The article notes that Justice Ginsburg thinks that buffer zones around funerals might be a good solution (or at least a better solution than allowing private lawsuits). A ruling is expected by some time later this year.