NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - The North Charleston City Council has moved to head off any possible protest at funerals for some of the nine shooting victims at a Charleston church.
The council voted unanimously Wednesday to approve an ordinance prohibiting picketing or protesting at funerals in the area.
Mayor Keith Summey says the measure was patterned off a similar ordinance passed by Charleston on Tuesday. Summey says two funerals for members of Emanuel AME Church are being held in North Charleston on Thursday.
The mayor says violators will be fined $500 and sentenced to 30 days in jail. He said leaders felt the ordinance would be necessary after learning that members of the Westboro Baptist Church would be in town during the funerals.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.