The small Westboro Baptist Church has made headlines over the last decade for its abhorrent protests at the funerals of soldiers killed in action, but there may soon be an end to the demonstrations. President Barack Obama recently signed the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act, which sets strict laws for protesting military funerals, The Associated Press reports.
The portion of the legislation addressing the Kansas-based church stipulates that any protests or demonstrations have to be at least 300 feet away from military funerals. While Obama is sensitive to the importance of free speech, he feels the law is necessary.
"The graves of our veterans are hallowed ground," he said in a statement. "And obviously we all defend our Constitution and the First Amendment and free speech, but we also believe that when men and women die in the service of their country and are laid to rest, it should be done with the utmost honor and respect."
The bill also provides healthcare benefits to military families who may have been exposed to contaminated groundwater at North Carolina's Camp Lejeune between 1957 and 1987.