Westboro Baptist protestors want protection to protest at military funeral?

They hold up signs saying God hates the troops as they show up while a line of cars escorts the families of the fallen while they bury their son, daughter, husband, wife or child. While Westboro can in fact use their free speech rights to do this, the family does not have the right to not listen to them. The families have to be there, but Westboro Baptist protestors do not have to be there. It is one thing to hate this much, to be filled with so much anger they feel the need to travel around the country holding signs and spouting their message of hate, but yet another to expect the police departments to protect them instead of protecting the families they came to emotionally assault.

Patriot Guard Riders formed just because of these people showing up to attack the fallen and their families. Imagine having to do something like that because these people want to be able to say whatever they want, wherever they want with a captive audience. Think of going to a funeral for your own family member and then being forced to see these signs. How would that make you feel? If they are allowed to do this whenever and wherever they want, then what's to stop someone else from doing it to another group of people? They hold up signs saying God hates gay people, so what is to stop them from showing up at funerals for civilians they believe are gay? This isn't about being gay or not. They show up for military funerals and that is because they know they will get attention for it. The families should not have to pay the price for their lusting after attention.

Westboro Baptists announce plan to protest soldier's funeral
Friday, Jun 18, 2010 - 05:28:19 pm CDT
Westboro Baptist Church members have notified Plattsmouth Police Department they will be protesting at the funeral of Sgt. Blaine Edward Redding Tuesday, June 22.

Redding was killed June 7 while serving in the United States Army in Afghanistan.

Formerly from Plattsmouth and Elmwood, Sgt. Redding will be placed to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery in Plattsmouth.

Funeral services are planned at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, at Church of the Holy Spirit.

Plattsmouth Police Chief Dave Murdoch said he received a letter from Westboro legal counsel asking for protection while members protest from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

“They know that their group is not looked upon favorably,” Murdoch said. “They are concerned for their safety.”
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Westboro Baptists announce plan to protest