BILL NUMBER:  SB 888
  VETOED	DATE: 09/07/2011




To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 888 without my signature.

This measure seeks to address the offensive conduct of those who
protest at private funerals to gain publicity for their causes, and I
am very tempted to sign it.  When I was the Attorney General, I
joined an amicus brief in the Supreme Court arguing that funeral
protesters should be held accountable to their victims.  But earlier
this year, the Supreme Court ruled that funeral protests are
protected by the First Amendment and can be circumscribed in only
extremely limited ways.

I cannot in good faith sign this measure because it plainly fails to
comport with the Supreme Court's decision.

Sincerely,



Edmund G. Brown Jr.