Eye on Local Government

Council Backs Ban on Funeral Protests in Kirkwood

A new bill approved by the Kirkwood City Council forbids anyone from protesting or picketing 300 feet from a funeral or burial service.

At their Jan. 3 meeting, the Kirkwood City Council voted unanimously in favor of an ordinance that bans protesting a funeral or burial site within 300 feet of the event. The bill was considered after the 8th District Federal Court of Appeals upheld a similar law in the city of Manchester, MO, which had been challenged by the Westboro Baptist Church with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union. City of Kirkwood attorneys worked with the city of Manchester in drafting the bill. "...Although protesters have a right to express their opinions on a matter of public concern, an ordinance prohibiting picketing at funerals is constitutional because mourners have a right to protect the dignity of the service and the privacy of the family …

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Justice, Hate Crime Protection Sought by West County Muslims

St. Louis area religious leaders are asking residents to stand up against hate and discrimination of Muslims in America. Watch a clip from Wednesday's press conference led by Kirkwood resident Faizan Syed from West County's Dar-Ul Islam Mosque.

In light of what some believe was an arson attack that burned down a Mosque in the outskirts of Joplin on Aug. 6, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) in St. Louis held a press conference Wednesday to offer support to the Muslim community there and throughout America. Kirkwood resident Faizan Syed, executive director for CAIR-St. Louis, led the press conference at West County's Dar-Ul Islam Mosque, located near Manchester and Weidman roads. He said the Muslim community in Joplin has been attacked several times in the past by a minority of outer Joplin residents.  This most recent attack comes after a gunman opened fire on a Milwaukee, WI area Sikh temple, killing six people. Although a motive has not yet been released, many …

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