Easley Lauds House for Passing Picketing Measure

State Senator Mary Easley (D-Tulsa), vice-chair of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee expressed her appreciation Thursday that her funeral picketing bill was approved by the House and will now go before Gov. Brad Henry to sign into law.

Senate Bill 1020, known as the “Oklahoma Funeral Picketing Act” would make it a misdemeanor to picket within 500 feet of a cemetery, mortuary or church from one hour before the scheduled commencement of funeral services until one hour after the actual completion of the funeral services.

If the bill is signed by the governor, it will go into effect immediately.

Easley said the House approval of her bill comes as a critical time as a funeral is scheduled for Saturday in Guymon for a soldier who was killed in Iraq.

A group from Topeka, Kan. which has recently protested funerals of other soldiers killed in action, had announced plans to protest the funeral in Guymon.

“I’m so glad that the House decided to fast track my bill and get to the governor for his signature,” said Easley (D-Tulsa). “I have received many calls from constituents who wanted to see something done to stop these protestors from disrupting funerals.”

If convicted, a person could be punished by a fine of not more than $500, by imprisonment in the county jail of
not more than 30 days, or by both a fine and imprisonment.

Additionally, a district court could award damages, including punitive damages, attorney fees or other appropriate relief against the persons found guilty of the crime.

Ronnie Felts, manager of Floral Haven Funeral Home in Broken Arrow says he supports Easley’s bill and was pleased to see the House approve it. Felts said that Kansas group has come to Broken Arrow to protest several funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq.

“I’m very happy to hear that the House passed it,” Felts said. “That makes my whole day. “This is something that is long overdue and needed to be accomplished.”

Easley said her bill sends a strong message that protesting at funerals won’t be tolerated.

“Funerals are a time for families to remember their loved ones,” Easley said. “They shouldn’t have to put up with groups who use funerals as a vehicle to bring attention to their causes.”