HELP NEEDED. Man to protest at soldier's funeral (Fred Phelps/AL Alert)

Opelika-Auburn News ^ | July 28, 2005 | Mitch Sneed

[indcons]

At a time when his loved ones are making funeral arrangements for a dedicated family man killed defending his country, a Kansas minister is making plans to use the funeral of Sgt. Christopher Taylor as a platform to push his anti-gay agenda. Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan sent out press releases Wednesday announcing that his group would picket and preach at the Opelika funeral. The release is filled with anti-gay language and is headed by the line Thank God for Improvised Explosive Devices Killing Americans in Strange Lands.”

Phelps grabbed national attention with his disruptive messages at the funeral of Matthew Shepard, the who was murdered in 1998 in an anti-gay hate crime in Laramie, Wyo. Since then, he has taken every opportunity to spread his message.

What do homosexuals and a tragic war death have in common? Phelps has a theory.

Using words not suitable for this newspaper, Phelps said that the government has allowed gays to take over America. He claims that the government allowed his church to be bombed by gays. As a result, Phelps claims that God is punishing the government by killing soldiers with bombs and sending them home in body bags.

We will be at the funeral to picket and and preach and let everyone know that these soldiers are dying because God is retaliating, picking off the soldiers one by one, the soldiers that are fighting for an America that is allowing homosexuals and sodomites to take over, Phelps said in a telephone interview Wednesday. We've been to seven funerals this week and will be in Opelika to spread God's word.

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller was not aware of the planned protest before receiving a call from the Opelika-Auburn News, but made it clear that he will not allow a hero's funeral to become a circus.

This is America and Mr. Phelps has a right to protest, we would never deny him that right, Fuller said. But we aren't about to allow him to disrupt a funeral. We have the right to tell him where to go and to make sure that the protest won't be in a position to upset this family.

Fuller said he would have discussions with Opelika police Chief Tommy Mangham to have a plan to handle the possible protest.

[Palladin]

This man Phelps is certifiably insane.

Hope FReepers don't let him get away with this hijacking of a soldier's funeral.

[Southack]

Check out their "zip" code...

Contributor	Occupation	Date	Amount	Recipient
PHELPS ROPER, SHIRLEY J TOPEKA,KS 66601	PHELPS CHARTERED	1/20/1989	$1,000	Kansas Democratic Committee
PHELPS, JONATHAN B TOPEKA,KS 66601	ATTORNEY	6/10/1992	$1,000	Phelps, Fred W

[Shadowstrike]

sorry for this second post. Just got on AIM with all my Alabama born relatives. When you get the date let us know. They will be coming from North Carolina, South Alabama, and Several other States where they are working. Just need time to ask for day off. This is beyond vicious, it might not hurt to call the Police Department where the funeral will be held, and find out just what they intend to do about it either.

[Southack]

"Phelps' notoriety came later. You can be sure he won't be invited to Hillary's inauguration."

You are woefully misinformed. Phelps has been "preaching" hate for the last 50+ years.

He was a voting delegate to the DNC in 1996, and invited to the Clinton/Gore 1997 Presidential inauguration.

[Southack]

See Post #38 & post #62.

[tgslTakoma]

The dillema is that many of these soldiers' funerals are held as public affairs so that the whole community may attend and pay their respects.

Hopefully everyone in the Opelika community and surrounding areas will attend this soldier's funeral, lining the streets and forming a supportive and protective "shield" between the grieving family and Phelps' crew.

[Shadowstrike]

Thanks for the pics, and yes, I can see how that would be the perfect zip code for someone like that.

[FierceKulak]

I really feel like having a few words with this guy in an empty room.

[Southack]

Perhaps you are posting the senior Phelps' picture. The Phelps of the Phelps - Gore fundraiser seems to be protesting this military funeral this month here:

He's in the center holding the IED poster. The "God Hates Fags" poster is in the background to the woman's left.

[Non-Sequitur]

For the record: David Duke was never invited to a GOP Presidential inaugural...

And Fred Phelps was never elected to office as a Democrat. Or anything else, for that matter. We may have our nutjobs out here in Kansas but we don't vote them into office.

[Non-Sequitur]

Check out their "zip" code...

Don't think that we here in Kansas haven't noticed that the zip code for the legislature starts with '666', or that we don't think that it's entirely appropriate.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

I understand the group was recently at the funeral of a soldier in IOwa who was killed in Iraq.

I raised some eyebrows when told they were there but now I get "their" explanation of why they're doing this.

These wackos are sick.

[solo gringo]

Mr phelps to the baptist is like jimmy carter to the democrats.

[Flora McDonald]

I know what you mean about the raised eyebrows. Same here until I checked out their website.

[don-o]

Google "Fred Phelps fraud abuse"

[indcons]

Thas for posting.

The police are planning to provide protection at the venue (according to the newspaper). Please FReepmail me for my phone number. I live next door and will assist your folks any way I can.

[indcons]

Thanks

[indcons]

Great ideas...will do.

[trussell]

bump for exposure!!

[trussell]

bump!