Posted on 06/27/2005 3:26:59 PM PDT by Unam Sanctam
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.
These guys are bad news and real nut cases. They picketed my church when they were here, even though my church is an evangelical congregation. Our pastor made the mistake of speaking out against their hateful attitudes as giving Christians as bad name.
Generally I oppose the use of the term "hate group" but in this case it seems to fit the bill.
They don't need to agree with the homosexual lifestyle but protesting a mans funeral is way over the line especially given the fact that the man died in service of our country.
Who are these *ssholes??? they each need a size 12 up their fundament.....
One day, a la the current Marcus Wesson trial in CA, we'll be hearing about the case involving this sick cult of loonytunes.
Let me make sure I understand; God is mad that Washington, D.C. tolerates/promotes the homosexual agenda, he then kills American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan?
I would think that God's aim was a little better then that.
Phelps is a Nazi. I remember his signs thanking God for 9/11 and saying Reagan is in Hell.
And the soldier wasn't even "of the lifestyle" -- his widow and kids were at the funeral! Even if he were, a funeral is a time, if nothing else, to love the sinner and hate the sin.
Send them to an area in Iraq where there are no American of Coalition troops. Better yet Iran. These folks know exactly what they are doing and why they are angering those not in lock step with them. They need to go ant "visit" with some Muslims who think in like manner.
Absolutely correct. Frankly the guy showed more heroism in his pinky than the entire bunch who plan to protest.
Too bad Marge turned out to be as big a retard as her sh!thead dad.
This is going to sound crazy, but at times I've wondered if Phelps is a "plant." His demonstrations are beyond hateful and the media just laps up his antics to smear Bible believing Christians. I mean, if I were a homosexual activitist, having a looney religious figure with a relatively small following making martyrs out of homosexuals... would be quite helpful to my cause of portraying Christians as hateful.
I've considered the same thing.
it seems this Phelps and his entourage of idiots think some people just need killing. I agree. They should look in a mirror and see who needs it, then act.
Phelps and his loonies are not right wing. They're simply nuts.
They should by some Nikes and "Just do it".
Your Pastor is quite correct in speaking out against this.
Anyone who declares: "Margie Phelps said her father is a self-declared prophet" - is already over the line.
No REAL prophet is "self-declared" - only GOD promotes. This guy is probably not even a born again Christian - which is supposed to be a given if you attend a Baptist Church. Some of the members of that church better get a clue because this Pastor Phelps is going to lead them into some bad stuff if they don't stop following him.
We all need to pray over this church .. pray for discernment for the members .. pray for GOD to open their eyes to see the truth about this FALSE prophet.
I think Phelps is pretty open about his hatred. The other groups are more insidious and try to hide it.
Agreed- possible 'false flag'? Doesn't sound even remotely like any Baptist congregation that I've ever been to. Lefties- usually on college campuses- are known for manufacturing 'hate' incidents.
Maybe he's just what he appears to be- maybe he isn't. I'm sure the investigative Freeposcope will shed some light.
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