Manchester

Federal Appeals Court Reinstates Manchester's Funeral Protest Ban

Rachel Lippmann — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 19:53:08 +0000

A federal appeals court has ruled that efforts by the city of Manchester to limit protests by the Westboro Baptist Church is constitutional, despite the fact that it limits free speech.

The ordinance, which has been amended several times, was first adopted in 2007. The final version limits picketing or other protest activities within 300 feet of the site of any funeral or burial service within an hour before or an hour after the ceremony. There are no restrictions on picketing during processions.

Morning headlines: Thursday, December 8, 2011

Julie Bierach, The Associated Press and WBEZ — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:32:48 +0000

Blagojevich plans to keep fighting

Rod Blagojevich has just over two months of freedom before he's scheduled to begin a 14-year prison term. But the ex-governor and his lawyers plan to keep fighting.

After Judge James Zagel handed down the sentence, and the public was ushered out of the courtroom, more than an hour passed before the ex-governor, his wife and his lawyers appeared in the lobby of the court building.

Court to review decision in funeral protest ban

The Associated Press — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:55:17 +0000

A federal appeals court will take reconsider whether a Missouri town can enforce an ordinance banning peaceful funeral protests.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the entire 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis agreed Wednesday to review an earlier ruling by a three-judge panel of the court.

The panel ruled in October that the First Amendment's right to free speech protects peaceful funeral protests.

Appeals court strikes down Manchester funeral protest ban

Rachel Lippmann, Kelsey Proud and The Associated Press — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:14:57 +0000

A federal appeals court has ruled against a Missouri town's funeral protest ordinance, saying peaceful picketing is protected by the right to free speech under the First Amendment.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday upheld a district court ruling in favor of members of Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan.