Man who thanked God for dead soldiers died

Westboro church founder Fred Phelps dies
CNN
By Daniel Burke
updated 3:11 PM EDT, Thu March 20, 2014

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Church spokesman says Phelps died late Wednesday of natural causes
Phelps founded Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas
The church is known for its virulently anti-gay protests, including at military funerals

(CNN) -- Fred Phelps -- the founding pastor of a Kansas church known for its virulently anti-gay protests at public events, including military funerals -- has died, the church said Thursday.

The 84-year-old died of natural causes at 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, according to church spokesman Steve Drain.

Phelps founded Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, in 1955 and molded it in his fire-and-brimstone image. Many members of the small congregation are related to Phelps through blood or marriage.

In a statement Thursday, the church chided the "world-wide media" for "gleefully anticipating the death."

"God forbid, if every little soul at the Westboro Baptist Church were to die at this instant, or to turn from serving the true and living God, it would not change one thing about the judgments of God that await this deeply corrupted nation and world."

According to Westboro, the church has picketed more than 53,000 events, ranging from Lady Gaga concerts to funerals for slain U.S. soldiers. Typically, a dozen or so church members -- including small children -- will brandish signs that say "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for Dead Soldiers."
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Al Snyder thinks Westboro leader should be buried in peace

Father of fallen Marine believes dying Westboro founder should be 'buried in peace'
Army Times
By Jeff Schogol
Staff writer
Mar. 18, 2014

Countless military families have been tormented by the Westboro Baptist Church, which pickets service members’ funerals as part of its campaign against gays and lesbians. Now church founder Fred Phelps Sr. is reportedly near death and in hospice care.

The father of a fallen Marine whose son’s funeral was targeted by the Westboro Baptist Church hopes Phelps is afforded more respect than church members showed his son. “I believe he has the same rights as everybody else should have, that he should be buried in peace,” Al Snyder told Military Times on Tuesday. “Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

Al Snyder sued Westboro Baptist after its members picketed the funeral of his son, Lance Cpl. Matt Snyder, who was killed in Iraq on March 3, 2006. Snyder did not see the protest during the service, but afterward he saw television coverage of church members holding signs that “God hates you,” “You’re in hell,” and “Semper Fi fags.”

The case went all the way to the Supreme Court, which ruled in the church’s favor in 2011, deciding the protest had been held peacefully in a public place and the issues the church raised were a matter of public concern.

Since the ruling, Phelps has been excommunicated by the church and is being treated at a Kansas hospice for health problems, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal. A spokesman for the church could not be reached by phone or email on Tuesday.
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Westboro Baptist Church Bails On Protest Plans

I just saw this video from October. Better late than never and when you see all the people showing up to stop Westboro Baptist haters, I am sure you'll agree.

Oct 20, 2013 Thousands of citizens join Patriot Guard Riders to repel the Westboro Baptist Church's plans to picket the funeral of Army Ranger PFC Cody Patterson at Oregon State Univeristy. Westboro never showed up, or if they did, they didn't even bother getting out of their cars. Estimated crowd size of 2000+ must have been too much for them.

Why the White House can't list Westboro Baptist Church as a hate group

Why the White House can't list Westboro Baptist Church as a hate group
Orlando Sentinel
Jeff Kunerth
July 8, 2013

Religion News Service reporter Corrie Mitchell writes about why the White House can't list Westboro Baptist Church a hate group:

WASHINGTON (RNS) In response to five “We the People” petitions, the White House condemned the actions of the Westboro Baptist Church but said it is powerless to list the Kansas church as a hate group and remove its tax-exempt status.

The White House response said the federal government does not maintain a list of hate groups, instead leaving that task to private organizations, such as the Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center. Both have called Westboro a hate group.

Westboro Baptist Church, based in Topeka, Kan., is best known for its graphic “God Hates Fags” signs and its continued picketing of military funerals.

All “We the People” petitions that reach 100,000 signatures within 30 days receive a response from the White House. The White House can also choose to respond to petitions with fewer signatures.
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Ex-Westboro Baptist Church member apologizes

Ex-Westboro Baptist Church member apologizes to Missouri soldier's parents
BY LISA GUTIERREZ
THE KANSAS CITY STAR

On an episode of Anderson Cooper's daytime talk show Wednesday, Libby Phelps Alvarez, a former member of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, tearfully apologized to the family of a slain Army soldier from Columbia, Mo.

Libby Phelps Alvarez apologized to Sherry and Randy Wyatt for picketing the funerals of soldiers like their son, Sterling, who was killed in Afghanistan last summer.

Alvarez is the granddaughter of Fred Phelps, the church's founder.

Sherry Wyatt had her say, too. She showed the cloth held by supporters on the day of the funeral to shield the family from the Westboro protesters.

"Our son died to ensure freedom of assembly, to ensure freedom of speech, to ensure freedoms for those that are white, black, gay, straight, rich, poor ... All that we get from your actions is just a show of absolute hate," the mother of the dead soldier said on the show.
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Westboro Baptist Hate Group desperate for attention

I got up to a sickening email from a friend giving me a heads up on Westboro haters planning on protesting the family of Chris Kyle so they can get attention. When you stop playing politically correct game of words, that is exactly what it boils down to.

Westboro Hate Group attacking Chris Kyle
GOD ALMIGHTY HAD NAVY SEALS SNIPER CHRIS KYLE IN HIS CROSS-HAIRS and EXECUTED PERFECT WRATH: USA rages over hypocrite Ron Paul speaking an unfavorable syllable about dead soldier idol Chris Kyle. Faux-christian Glenn Beck piles on with the ultimate insult, calling Paul a member of the Westboro Baptist Church. (Fat chance!)

Do they protest at the funerals against the men and women who died in service to this nation or do they stalk and protest the families? It isn't the fallen they go after. They are dead. The families however are still alive and during their grieving, they are attacked, forced to see their signs and hear their hatred. Amazing how the Supreme Court has chosen to say it is free speech but they never seem to be willing to notice these families are targeted and their rights have been taken from them.

Free speech does not come with a guarantee of an audience.

They crave attention and they haven't been getting much lately. People figured out a long time ago what these stalkers are all about. They go after the families of people in the news, usually members of the military. Yet they pick and choose which ones to attack.

Thank God for 6 more dead troops. We are praying for 6,000 more.
We will picket their funerals in their home towns in respectful and lawful proximity thereto.
Here is a Roster of the Damned:
“For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God.” 1 Chron. 5:22
We’ve turned America over to the fags;
They’re coming home in body bags.
PV2 Joshua J. Martin of Cottonwood Heights, UT
SPC Jordan Heer of Lakewood, WA
SSG Michael Paul Perez of Houston, TX
SPC Patrick S. Keuper of Santa Maria, CA
Capt. Gonzalo Garcia of Fort Bliss, TX
Pfc. Michael A. Gorman of Brookline, MA

The saying of "He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword." was not a punishment from God. It was frankly common sense since wars back then were fought by men with swords, face to face and most of them died. They were simply more likely to die in combat than live. Back then people also believed all illness was caused by sin and God's judgment they deserved to suffer.

Westboro haters have a right to say whatever they want and believe whatever they want. What they should never have the right to do is force anyone to pay attention to them. That is exactly what happens when families go to bury their dead and they are being stalked by this group.

Anti-Westboro Baptist petition the most popular ever

I believe even this group has the right to say what they want but they do not have the right to hold grieving families hostage and force them to hear their hateful words or read the scumbags' signs. But having the right to hate should not come with a tax exempt.

Anti-Westboro Baptist petition the most popular ever
The White House will have to discuss the hate church after a record number sign a We The People petition
Salon.com
BY ALEX HALPERIN
DEC 27, 2012

A petition to label Westboro Baptist Church a hate group has accumulated more than 260,000 signatures, making it the most popular petition to the Obama Administration’s We the People program, Politico reported. Several other petitions urging that the church be stripped of its tax-exempt status have also accumulated tens of thousands of signatures.

Topeka, Kan.,-based Westboro Baptist Church, better known as those ”God Hates Fags” creeps, is already considered a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, Most recently it made news for threatening to picket the funerals of the Newtown massacre victims. The hacker group Anonymous responded with attacks on the church’s online presence.
read more here

The problem is this is not new. Nothing has been done about them after all this time and I doubt anything will be done now.

Petition to revoke Westboro hate group tax exempt


Kan. appeals court: Westboro Baptist must pay taxes on truck

The church, led by the Rev. Fred Phelps, submitted numerous Bible verses and the text of picket signs in court filings to back up their claim that the protests were religious in nature.

IRS probes Kan. church’s political activity

Sick freaks in Westboro hate group going after Sandy Hook families

This group of best known military haters has finally managed to prove just how sick and twisted they are.

Anonymous sics Westboro again
The hacktivist collective continues its attack on the infamous hate group, shutting down its website
BY KATIE MCDONOUGH

Anonymous has shut down Westboro Baptist website (Godhatesfags.com) with a denial of service attack (DDOS), the latest from the hacker collective after the hate group/church announced plans to picket victims of Sandy Hook’s funerals. As Salon’s Natasha Lennard wrote on Sunday:

Hacker collective Anonymous was swift to respond, releasing private information of Westboro members including email addresses, phone numbers and home addresses. This video, decrying the church for spreading “seeds of hatred,” was also released. It warns, “We will destroy you. We are coming.”
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Westboro hate groups held off by huge crowd at funeral

Westboro Baptist Church Protester Bull-Rushed At Military Funeral Protest
(VIDEO)
The Huffington Post
By Nick Wing
Posted: 10/15/2012

The Westboro Baptist Church's attempt to picket a military funeral in North Carolina over the weekend drew a lively counter protest that crested when a service member in the crowd bull-rushed a congregant attempting to stomp on the American flag.


The service was meant to honor 29-year-old Staff Sgt. Donna Johnson, who was among 14 people killed earlier this month in a suicide bomber attack in Afghanistan. Johnson was reportedly gay, and is survived by her wife Tracy Dice, also a member of the armed forces. Westboro, which frequently links the death of American soldiers to the nation's growing acceptance of gays, made no mention of Johnson's sexuality in a release announcing their intent to demonstrate.
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Westboro hate group ready to target another family of fallen soldier

Westboro Baptist Church Set to Protest at Fort Bragg Soldier's Funeral
Anti-protestors can take part in "A Human Wall for Fallen Soldiers", an organized group whose goal is to assemble enough people to shield the family from protesters.
By Kelly Twedell

Westboro Baptist Church members say they'll be protesting at a Fort Bragg soldier's funeral Saturday.

The church will supposedly protest Sgt. Donna Johnson's funeral at 10:15 a.m. Saturday at the Raeford Presbyterian Church, 128 Edinborough Avenue, in Raeford, N.C.

The group was reported to be picketing the three military funerals in North Carolina according to a WCNC news report. The group connects the deaths of soldiers to America's acceptance of gays.
read more here

Community ready to come out in force against Westboro hate group

Community reacts to controversial church protesting Wilmington soldier's funeral
Submitted by Marissa Jasek
10/07/2012

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- A controversial church group known for protesting military funerals says it will come to the Cape Fear to protest the funeral of a Wilmington soldier killed last week in Afghanistan.

"Our military fights for the freedom of ridiculous individuals to air their dirty laundry," says Tom Russell, the founder of Step Up For Soldiers.

A news release on the website of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, KS, lists Sgt. T.J. Butler, 25, of Wilmington, on its latest "Roster of the Damned." The release says "Thank God for 18 more dead troops." Two other North Carolina soldiers killed with Butler in a suicide attack in a market in the eastern Afghanistan city of Khost Monday are also listed among the 18 fallen service members.

For years, Westboro Baptist Church has claimed America's war dead are God's punishment for the country embracing homosexuality. According to the release, church members say,

"We will picket their funerals in their home towns (sic) in respectful and lawful proximity thereof."

The small community of Hampstead, where Butler is from has stepped up in support of him and his family. Several businesses along Highway 17 have put up signs in support.

"Everywhere," says Jeremy Sawyer, a close friend of Butler. "Putting up signs for the family and for him. Praying for him."
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ACLU defense of Westboro hate group is wrong

I was a member of the ACLU because I want the rights of all Americans protected but I discovered the ACLU is not interested in protecting the rights of everyone. If they were then they would see that allowing the Westboro hate group stalk and then harass families trying to bury someone they love, they don't deserve support. These families are forced to look at their signs and hear their hateful words. The rights of the families should be equally important to the ACLU. The ugly truth is, Westboro has a right to say what they want, but no one should be forced to listen to them. It is part of the free speech rights we all have. We can say whatever we want but people have the choice to listen or not, stay or walk away. Families at a funeral should not be forced to listen to the people attacking them. This law protects the families while still allowing Westboro to protest and say what they want but they have no right to make people listen to them. This is all about the media attention they want and nothing more. No where in the Bill of Rights or the Constitution does it provide for media attention. We do still have a free press and they are allowed to cover whatever they want. Or not.

Free speech is not being muffled. They just don't have the right to demand an audience. The ACLU lawyers should have used some common sense on this along with some common decency.

ACLU: New funeral law stifles speech
By Kevin Cirilli
Politico
© August 9, 2012

A law just signed by President Barack Obama that makes it more difficult for protesters to picket military funerals has already drawn fire from the American Civil Liberties Union, which says it muffles free speech.

The legislation, which Obama signed Monday as part of the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act, doubles the distance picketers must keep away from funerals, from 150 feet to 300 feet. It also restricts such protests from happening two hours before or after the services. The previous law had a one-hour restriction.

Obama said upon signing the bill that he believed it was a reasonable restriction on the freedoms of speech and assembly.

“The graves of our veterans are hallowed ground,” he said. “We all defend our Constitution and the First Amendment and free speech, but we also believe that when men and women die in the service of their country and are laid to rest, it should be done with the utmost honor and respect.”

ACLU litigation policy adviser Gabriel Rottman says the new measures stifle free speech. And though the protesters’ message may be unpopular, that doesn’t make it unconstitutional, he said.

“This law is about making the message a federal crime, and that’s a violation of the Constitution to which members of the military swear their oath,” Rottman told Politico.
read more here

update
This is what this bill is all about.

Veterans express thanks for funeral legislation
By Holly Ramer
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Aug 9, 2012

CONCORD, N.H. — A Henniker woman whose son was killed in Afghanistan in 2006 said Thursday that she is thankful that other families will be spared the the worry she felt along with her grief during his funeral.

While there were no protestors at her son's funeral, Jean Durgin said she feared there would be because members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas had shown up at services for other soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

At a news conference marking the signing of a bill to limit such disruptions, Durgin said it is incomprehensible that parents should have to worry about protestors when burying their children.
click link for more

Westboro hate group efforts backfired

Westboro hate group efforts backfired
by Chaplain Kathie
Wounded Times Blog
August 6, 2012

The more I think about this "church" so filled with hate, seeking to make as much publicity as they can by protesting at military funerals, the more I see they have actually accomplished getting people to show how much they do love the troops. Their hate backfired.

Westboro Baptist Church Counter-Protest Planned For Fallen Soldier's Funeral
(VIDEO)
The Huffington Post
By Mollie Reilly
Posted: 08/05/2012

When Westboro Baptist Church announced plans to stage a protest at a fallen soldier's funeral, residents of Palm Bay, Fla. decided to organize a "human shield" to block the notorious group's efforts.

Counter-protesters will gather Wednesday around the funeral of Army Specialist Justin Horsley, a 21-year-old who died while serving in Afghanistan last month when his unit was attacked by an improvised explosive device.

“Our job is to welcome him back home with dignity and with pride and this is our show of respect for a fallen comrade," Brigadier General Anthony Cotton told Central Florida News 13. Cotton was one of hundreds who lined the streets and waved flags when Horsley's remains were returned to Brevard County on Saturday. Many of those individuals are planning to join the "human shield" on Wednesday.

“We’re here to protect the family from seeing these idiots with their signs protesting these heroes coming home," another counter-protester, John Stark, told News 13. Stark is a member of the Patriot Guard, a group dedicated to combating Westboro's protests.
read more here

When we had troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, the interest faded about as fast as the media could pack up their gear. No one even knew what was going on unless they were family members of the men and women serving. Then a group of people filled with hate claiming to be "Christian" decided to stalk families after reading about a fallen serviceman/woman making their last journey home.

Yes, I do mean "stalk" because what they wanted to do had to involve finding out where the funeral was to be held and then going there. Before they did that they had to figure out which funeral would cause the most publicity for them and be worth getting their tiny group there. It is pretty sickening when you notice they have more signs than people.

Patriot Guard Riders started because of this group.

Several people have asked how the Patriot Guard Riders got started. Here’s what we’ve been able to piece together. If anyone can give us more details, it would be greatly appreciated.

It all started back in early August of 2005 with the American Legion Riders chapter 136 from Kansas. They were appalled to hear that a fallen hero’s memory was being tarnished by misguided religious zealots who were protesting at funerals. They decided to do something about it. At the ALR 136 August meeting, Director: Chuck " Pappy " Barshney appointed members, Terry “Darkhorse” Houck, Cregg “Bronco 6” Hansen, Steve “McDaddy” McDonald, and Bill ”Wild Bill” Logan to form a committee to strategize and form a battle plan to combat Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church.

When they heard that the WBC was going to protest at the Funeral of Sgt. John Doles in Chelsea, Oklahoma, they established a Mission Statement, which included getting the families permission and contacting Law Enforcement and other Motorcycle Groups in Oklahoma. They agreed that their ultimate goal was to get veterans and motorcycle organizations involved in every state so that each state could handle the situation internally and not rely on other states to do the job. They were very successful in mustering riders to honor Sgt. Doles and limiting the intrusion by the WBC.

After the Chelsea Mission the Kansas American Legion Riders wanted all Motorcycle Groups/ Organizations to be recognized. On the 18th of October 2005 the Patriot Guard name was established and was announced on the 27th of October 2005 to the 100 + motorcyclists present at the Tonganoxie Mission to Honor Spc Lucas Frantz.

Following the missions in South Haven, KS and a later ride in Edmond, OK, Jeff “Twister” Brown, from Broken Arrow, OK, decided to do more than just ride. He saw a need to get a strong nation-wide communications and recruiting program in place. He contacted the original AL riders in Kansas and told them of his plans. They openly shared their experiences, suggestions, and encouragement. Within a matter of days, Brown had formed the Patriot Guard Riders and began a nation-wide campaign to garner support.

Similarly, after a mission ride in Greeley, CO, Hugh Knaus and Jason “Waldo” Wallin answered the call of the newly formed Patriot Guard Riders, becoming the national webmaster and communications director, respectively. Within a matter of days, a mission statement was refined and a website was built, rebuilt, and launched. A call immediately went out to individual riders and groups across the nation to join and ride with the PGR. State Captains were recruited to work more closely with the members in their area.

The growth has been phenomenal. Within a week their membership included many riders from associations like the VFW, American Legion, Rolling Thunder, ABATE, Combat Vets Motorcycle Association, Intruder Alert, Leathernecks Motorcycle Club, and almost five hundred individual riders. To the credit of Hugh and “Waldo”, the PGR website had received almost 566,000 hits in the first two weeks! Patriots from all over America and several foreign countries responded. Emails were pouring in from people wanting to support and join the newly formed PGR.

So, that’s a pretty concise picture of where we came from and where we are today. A great deal of credit goes to that small group of Kansas American Legion Riders, but none of this could have ever been accomplished without the patriot member who takes time out of their life to honor a fallen soldier and their family.

I have ridden with them and stood with them but when I film them standing in honor of the fallen, I have a hard time focusing through tearful eyes. No one can see this group and not feel all the love they have for our troops.

This is what it looks like when they stand for a fallen serviceman or woman.

Disclaimer: There are ads on this video even though it is a funeral. YouTube said it "matched 3rd party" because of the bagpipe and bugler. Please excuse them because either someone cannot understand what happens at a military funeral or a program did it. I have a few videos I put ads on but most of them do not have any. 3rd party ads means someone else gets paid but I have no clue who would when it is a video like this.

This is from April when Patriot Guard Riders, the Nam Knights and other groups came together to escort the Traveling Wall to the reunion in Melbourne FL.

This video does have advertising that is attached to me, but it is such a small amount, so far I haven't made any money on this at all.

Other people hear that Westboro hate group is going to show up at military funeral and say "hell no" so they stand as protection for the families plus show how much they do care.

So as this tiny hateful group holds their deplorable signs after stalking a family, they have won more support for the troops and made the rest of this country take some time to honor the fallen. It is not that people didn't care about them. They just got busy with their own lives and were not reminded that as we go about our own day, thousands of miles away from their families and friends, men and women spend their days risking their lives for each other out of love.

Westboro Baptist Church Vows To Defy Rules After Congressional Smackdown

Westboro Baptist Church Vows To Defy Rules After Congressional Smackdown
The Huffington Post
By Paige Lavender
Posted: 08/04/2012

Westboro Baptist Church plans to continue its notorious protests at military funerals despite new restrictions that could leave some protesters facing up to two years in prison.

The restrictions -- which say protesters must be at least 300 feet from military funerals from two hours before they start until two hours after they end -- are part of the "The Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012", a sweeping veterans bill recently passed by Congress. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill on Monday.
read more here

All this means is that Patriot Guard Riders

"A national organization of motorcycle enthusiasts created to oppose the Westboro Baptist Church, who attend funerals to honor fallen US military personnel."

will get a lot more members to do details like this.

Obama to sign bill to stop military protests at funerals

Congress came up with a bill that will protect families and still protect free speech rights of a hate group. So far, free speech has been protected and gave more rights to the hate group and took away the rights of a family to grieve in peace. Now they can say whatever hateful thing they want but the families do not have to be forced to listen to them or see them.

President Obama to sign veterans bill restricting protests at military funerals
Examiner.com
AUGUST 2, 2012
BY: ROBERT SOBEL

President Obama is set to sign a new bill that has just passed congress restricting the ability to protest at military funerals.

After years of dealing with the Westboro Baptist Church showing up at military funerals, a new veterans bill is looking to put an end to their antics. Earlier this week, Congress passed "The Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012." In the bill, protesters won't be able to hold demonstrations two hours before and after a military funeral. The bill also notes that the protesters will have to be at least 300 feet away from the funeral and family members.
read more here

Patriot Guard Riders and community show support and block hate group

'Red wall' of supporters comforts fallen soldier's family
By JANESE SILVEY
Published July 21, 2012
Thousands of people in red shirts joined members of the Patriot Guard yesterday to show their support for a local soldier killed in action.

The so-called human wall began as a way to shield Sterling Wyatt's family from negative messages. By the time the funeral started at 1 p.m., though, few in the crowd even realized that a small group tied to Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., had been in the area.

Wyatt, 21, was killed by an improvised explosive device while serving in Afghanistan on July 11. Tori Smith, an acquaintance, heard about Westboro's plans to picket the funeral and organized what she thought would be a small gathering to show support for the Wyatt family.
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Texas A and M students take stand against Westboro hate group

Texas A and M Students Form Human Wall To Block Westboro Baptist Church Protestors From Soldier Roy Tisdale's Funeral (PHOTOS)

Posted: 07/06/2012

Hundreds of Texas A and M students gathered this week to form a human wall around the funeral service of a soldier to protect his family from Westboro Baptist Church protesters,
KBTX.com reports

Texas A and M alum Lt. Col. Roy Tisdale died on June 28 during a training exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C. Tisdale was killed by another soldier who then fatally shot himself.

Tisdale had served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

In the days after the soldier's death, word spread that Westboro Baptist Church members were planning to protest Tisdale's funeral.

Described as a "homophobic and anti-Semitic hate group" by the Anti-Defamation League, Westboro Baptist Church regularly stages protests around the country.

According to KBTX.com, the group, which is based in Kansas, frequently targets military funerals because of "a belief that God punishes soldiers because of America's tolerance of gays."
read more here

Just when you thought it was safe to honor the fallen, Westboro hate group shows up

How is it "respectful" to stalk a grieving family and hold up signs saying "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" or this one?

Westboro Baptist Church says it will picket at Whitmire funeral
9:31 AM, Jan. 6, 2012

Staff Report

Members of an independent Baptist church based in Topeka, Kansas, plan to preach a “God hates America” message prior to the funeral service of Pfc Justin Whitmire scheduled for Saturday at Simpsonville First Baptist Church, according to a faxed statement from the church and a release on its website.

“This message to be preached in respectful, lawful proximity to the memorial of Pfc. Justin M. Whitmire,” the release said.
read more here

From laughingsquid.com

Westboro hate group stalking another family funeral

After all, stalking is what this is. They do not show up at every military funeral so they decide who to go after. They find out where the funeral will be and gear up to tell them how much God hated their family member.

Westboro Baptist Church members to picket funerals in Chester

By: TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF From staff reports
Published: September 02, 2011

Members of the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church plan to picket the funerals today of a man and his young son who were found slain in a triple homicide Sunday in Chesterfield County.

The anti-gay, anti-Semitic group — known for heckling at military funerals claiming God kills soldiers as punishment for national tolerance of homosexuality — faxed a statement announcing it will picket the funerals of Thomas Scott Allred, 40, and Allred's 7-year-old son, Morgan, outside the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home on West Hundred Road.
read more here

Westboro hate group admits they don't have to be at military funerals

“They can make [the ban distance] 100 miles, and it changes exactly nothing,” said Margie Phelps, a lawyer and the daughter of Westboro pastor Fred Phelps.”

So it looks like she admitted they don't have to be there at all since she said it changes nothing to be a hundred miles away. So why exactly are they demanding the "right" to be there at all? If it doesn't matter how far away they have to be, then, keep them away. After all, we're talking about stalking families trying to do the hardest thing they have to do, bury one of their own. Westboro does not protest every single military funeral, which means they pick the people they will go after and they stalk them, following them to them to the cemetery, uninvited and unwelcome. Free speech is what they claim they need to have, which no one is trying to stop them from saying what they want but they are trying to prevent them from being able to say it to a captive audience. Free speech is a wonderful thing but it isn't free is people are forced to hear what others want to say.

Ill. expands no-protest zone at funerals
By Jim Suhr - The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Aug 14, 2011 7:58:26 EDT
ST. LOUIS — Members of an anti-gay fundamentalist group known for their protests of military funerals will have to stay a bit farther away from such services under a measure Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law Sunday as the Illinois State Fair observed its Veterans Day.

In contrast with the shouting members of the Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro Baptist Church who often engage in outside funerals, Quinn quietly signed off on the “Let Them Rest In Peace Act,” which pushes protestors back another 100 feet to 300 feet — the equivalent of a football field’s length — at military funerals. Protests remain banned 30 minutes before and after funeral services.

A Westboro member labeled the new law as unconstitutional and said the church would continue its protests as it fights the laws in court.

“They can make [the ban distance] 100 miles, and it changes exactly nothing,” said Margie Phelps, a lawyer and the daughter of Westboro pastor Fred Phelps. “You all are delusional if you think you’re going to win this one.”

“Every family has a fundamental right to conduct a funeral with reverence and dignity,” said Quinn, who as the state’s lieutenant governor in 2006 stumped for the previous version of the law, which set the protest boundary at 200 feet away.

The new law “ensures that the families of those who have given their lives for our country can grieve without harassment. It is our duty to honor their sacrifice by ensuring they are remembered with respect and solemnity,” Quinn said.
read more here