News & Politics - Hate Group Plans Protest at US Soldier's Funeral

ceilirose · 06-27-2005, 02:38 PM

This is pretty unbelievable, disgusting and just plain bizarre:

Quote:

Hate group plans funeral protest
By Marlene Switzer/ marblehead@cnc.com
Thursday, June 23, 2005

Marblehead police are readying for a possible hate group protest that threatens to mar the privacy and solemnity of a local man's military funeral. A radical Midwestern group has announced its intention to rally at the Marblehead funeral of U.S. Army Special Forces Staff Sgt. Christopher N. Piper, who died June 15 at Brooke Army Medical Center of wounds suffered in action in Afghanistan on June 3.

The Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church, proclaiming "thank God for IEDs" or roadside bombs, claims the attacks on September 11 and American deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are God's vengeance on a nation that is tolerant of homosexuality.

"It's going to shock and enrage every person who sees it. That is our goal," said Margie Phelps, daughter of WBC leader Fred Phelps, commenting on the planned protest.

The group is based in Topeka, Kansas, and has made headlines protesting homosexuality at school events, graduations and mainstream churches. Representatives of the hate group have said they would protest at the funerals of two Massachusetts soldiers who were killed in action because the slain heroes "were cast into hell to join many more dishonorable Americans."

Margie Phelps said her father is a self-declared prophet.

"He hasn't been sent to save. He's been sent to condemn," she said, adding that group members have protested the funerals of 11 slain soldiers across the nation in the past two weeks.

Marblehead veterans service agent David Rodgers said, "I don't understand people like that. Any disrespect shown towards him [Piper] and his family is beyond my imagination."

Faced with the possibility that a public display by such a hate group could draw a large number of emotionally charged counter protesters to town, Marblehead Police Chief James Carney is taking no chances. Wednesday he said he was planning a Thursday strategy meeting with town police, fire and EMS representatives, as well as other law enforcement officials experienced with riot control, to come up with a plan for maintaining order.

Carney said he was expecting to call on a combination of state police and officers from the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, of which Marblehead is a member community, to bolster the very small local police contingent.

The chief believes there can't be too much law enforcement presence in such a situation. In fact, he is confident that insuring an orderly public protest will serve as a deterrent to the situation erupting into a dangerous confrontation.

"This is a publicity-hungry group that has latched onto the reprehensible tactic of appearing at soldiers' funerals," Carney said of the group that threatens to appear at Sgt. Piper's funeral.

Margie Phelps said the protests may be disruptive to family members, but "as long as it's being made into a public ordeal, then all bets are off."

She added, "Thank God for the mortar. Thank God for the shell that came from the gun. Thank God for the fact that it killed the fruit of America to punish it for its sins."

The wake, funeral and procession to the cemetery for Sgt. Piper could draw a large number of mourners, regardless of whether the protest takes place, so Carney recommends motorists avoid Elm Street Sunday from 7-10 p.m., and Green, lower Washington and Waterside streets Monday until about noon.

Boston Herald reporter O'Ryan Johnson contributed to this report.

http://www2.townonline.com/marblehea...02&format=text

I think what's worse is that they plan to hold protests all around the country. I just saw this on the local news and they were there with their signs and vocal chants. The local police got them to break it up right before the family arrived.

Lexis · 06-27-2005, 02:53 PM

I read a story linked from Daily Kos a few days ago in which this vile, vile group protested at the funeral of a soldier who had been killed in Iraq. What made it even worse was that days before, the soldiers' younger brother, another young man in the service, walked in front of a car to commit suicide because he couldn't handle it anymore.

And yet these monsters still protested, still deliberatly intended to cause pain and anguish to the families of those who lost their lives serving their country.

Milt Palacio · 06-27-2005, 02:58 PM

Where does this church get its money from?? It seems like all they do is travel around the country spewing their hatred of homosexuality.

Where is their money coming from? Doing all that traveling is far from cheap.

TokyoNiGHTS · 06-27-2005, 03:35 PM

Doing anything like this is a bit dangerous. Whatever your position is on the war, most people don't take a soldiers death lightly. They're basically setting themself up for a beating from someone if they attempt this.

mh67511 · 06-27-2005, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milt Palacio

Where does this church get its money from?? It seems like all they do is travel around the country spewing their hatred of homosexuality.

Where is their money coming from? Doing all that traveling is far from cheap.

That's what I don't understand! Seems like they go to a lot of places...I think the Baptist denominations should denounce them. They are such a horrible group. All they do is spew hatred towards EVERYONE.

Anyways, the military is the LAST group I'd want to protest! I'm surprised they don't get their ass kicked.

ceilirose · 06-27-2005, 03:53 PM

From what I saw on the news it was mostly women at this particular funeral. One of the soldier's friends got a little testy with them but the police seemed to have control of the situation.

Lexis..I didn't realize they were at that funeral in Iowa too.

They were here about two weeeks ago protesting at local high school graduations and a middle school. I just don't know what they're trying to accomplish other than publicity for their hate.

TomServo · 06-27-2005, 05:00 PM

Now those people are just scary....

In Fair Verona · 06-28-2005, 12:08 AM

That is an ultimate blow. While spreading their hate they just earn more hate for themselves which is probably what they desire. I really believe that they have to be delusional to believe that what they are doing is actually right and that they're doing it in the name of their religion.

Who died and let this idiot walk around decided who to condemn? The level of disrespect towards someone who risked their own life for the safety of these people is just appalling.

Whatever your position is on the war, most people don't take a soldiers death lightly.

ITA. These people are unbelievable and unbelievably stupid. I do hope that they get what's coming to them in time.

TokyoNiGHTS · 06-28-2005, 01:19 AM

I did a search to see what this church was about, they're truely disgusting

Quote:

RAW STORY has discovered that the Westboro Baptist Church leaders known for picketing the funeral of Matthew Shepard, the young college student brutally murdered in Wyoming in 1998, have released the following statement regarding the tsunamis which hit Southeast Asia earlier in the week.

The statement, which was posted on their website Wednesday alongside dozens of other archived "press releases," thanks God for the tsunami and for the death of any gay Swedish vacationers who perished at the time.

http://rawstory.rawprint.com/1204/we...ement_1230.php

Seriously this is one of the most disturbing groups i've seen.

Paceysgal · 06-28-2005, 11:12 AM

Wow... that is really pathetic. Some people need to be taken to the backyard and shot.

GhostWriter · 06-28-2005, 11:53 AM

I'M not even that cruel (and trust me, I am VERY cruel). Maybe becuase I have nothing against homosexuality, is why I say that this is pathetic. Hatred against homosexuality is no better than Hitler's hatred of the Jewish and the Klu Klux Klan's hatred of blacks. It's wrong.

mh67511 · 06-28-2005, 03:52 PM

I believe this is the church that's website is http://www.godhatesfags.com

I went to the website and the complete filth on it is so disgusting.

Lexis · 06-29-2005, 04:48 AM

They also have websites dedicated to the idea that God Hates Sweden and America. They protested at both party conventions last year and I believe they are the group that erected a statue celebrating Matthew Sheperd's entry into hell.

God, they make me so sick....they are absoloute disagrace to their faith.

UnsilentMajorty · 06-29-2005, 08:40 AM

They hate America? Hmm... That's terrorist talk there

How can you hate the country that grants you the right to express these hatreds?

These people are insane... Clinically insane if they really believe the things they are preaching.

It is one thing to express your beliefs... But these people's beliefs present a clear and present danager to other citizens basic civil liberties because their beliefs advocate violence and hatred toward a specific group of persons, I.E. Hate Crimes.

I am sure they on the FBI's Watch-List...

TokyoNiGHTS · 06-29-2005, 09:36 AM

Here's another thing they did

Quote:

The demonstrators stood on American flag, saying the red strips represented AIDS-tainted blood. The protesters carried signs declaring that Matthew Shepard was burning in Hell, and Pope John Paul II recently joined him because "he told people that God loves everybody." A young follower carried a sign reading, "Thank God for September 11th." The protesters provoke and expect confrontation. "I would just pray for these people that they would change, and I have changed, to realize that gay people are as God made them," said one woman who has a gay son.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/5/6/22220/02926


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