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State Representative Joe Atkins
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4192
For more information contact: Christina Gosack 651-296-5524
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Atkins Calls for Ban on Protests Near Funerals
Rep. Joe Atkins of Inver Grove Heights voted to ban protests near funerals this week, saying that grieving families deserve to be protected from disruptive protests.
"I wish the law was not even necessary," Atkins said. "Family and friends who've lost a loved one deserve to be given space and respect to hold their funeral peacefully."
The bill passed by the Minnesota House would make it illegal to demonstrate within 1000 feet of a funeral, and would outlaw demonstrations within an hour before and after the funeral. Spurred by anti-gay protestors from Kansas who have staged demonstrations at military funerals, the bill passed the Minnesota House of Representatives with unanimous support.
"This bill has been carefully drafted to avoid infringing on anyone's first amendment rights," said Atkins. "I'm a strong supporter of constitutional freedoms. All we're asking is that folks be allowed to grieve in peace without being accosted by hateful protestors."
The bill is also moving swiftly through the Senate and will likely become law soon. Similar bans have been passed or considered in several other states, including Wisconsin.
News Items
- Rep. Atkins, Sen. Lourey Introduce Health Insurance Exchange Legislation - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:44PM)
- Rep. Atkins – Statement on Deal to End NHL Lockout - (Posted: Jan 7 2013 2:05PM)
- Rep. Atkins to Hold Minnesota House Hearing on Economic Impact of Hockey Lockout - (Posted: Jan 2 2013 3:20PM)
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