Posted on 06/07/2006 3:12:56 PM PDT by HAL9000
BEEBE, Ark. (AP) - Counter-protesters worried that members of a Kansas Baptist church would disrupt a soldier's funeral Wednesday exceeded the number of family members and friends who came out to mourn. A counter-protester was detained briefly but no other incidents were reported.Six members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., carrying signs reading "Don't Worship the Dead" and "God Is Your Enemy," gathered near the First Baptist Church of Beebe to protest the funeral of Spec. Bobby West, who was killed by a roadside bomb May 30.
Arkansas in April passed a law prohibiting protests within 150 feet of a funeral 30 minutes before, during or 30 minutes after the service - a bill aimed at Westboro members who say American soldiers are dying as a sign of God's wrath at a world of sin.
The six protesters and about 300 counter-protesters were kept on opposite sides of U.S. 64 Wednesday during West's funeral, and there were no arrests. Inside the church, about 150 said their final goodbyes to West.
A counter-protester was removed from church grounds Wednesday after repeatedly crossing the highway in an effort to approach the Westboro group. White County Sheriff Pat Garrett said the man was taken to the county jail to remove him from the scene, but would not be charged.
Jonathan Phelps, who led the Westboro group to Beebe, said his church protests soldiers' funerals because of their service to a country of sinners.
Many of the counter-protesters Wednesday were members of the Patriot Guard Riders, which escorted West's family to and from the church. Members of the motorcycle group held American flags, recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang "God Bless America."
At the service, West's older brother Patrick, who was on duty 45 miles away from Bobby West, gave the eulogy. He thanked Bobby for being a good brother and said he would be with him when God would allow it.
God Bless counter-protesters..
didn't the feds pass a law that prohibited these "protests"?
I really, really hope somebody snaps and opens fire on Phelps and his subhuman filth someday.
If that bunch of sick whackos has any sense, they'll make sure to be across the state line before sun sets.
Exactly what what I was thinking. Someone is going to crack on these horrible imbeciles.
Could someone help me understand why they (protesters) don't just leave? If they hate the country so much, why aren't they in Cuba, or Mexico?
That's true, but at National Cemeteries. That's the jurisdiction that Federal Law covers. Apparently, this was at a local cemetery.
Still the ratio of 300 - 4/6 is gratifying. Maybe they're getting the message.
The state of Arkansas recently passed a law restricting the time and distance of protestors at all funerals.
"outnumbered?" That's like saying that the ass-kicking that Saddam's military took in OIF was marginally successful.
AHHH! thanks for clearing that up for me, again congress only doing a 1/2 A**ed job.. :\
Sheriff Pat Garrett? He must be about 150 yrs. old by now.
Not really, at least not in this respect. They have no control over local jurisdiction (thank God), so their legislation only covers National Cemeteries.
A little more than that! He killed Henry McCarty (Billy the Kid) in 1881) when he was in his 30's (without having to look it up, so he was a little older. I know I'm pickin' at ya, but this is one of my 'American History' things. Sorry!
States have been, but it takes time. Now, with a national law on the books, maybe we'll see an increase in state legislation. On the bright side, I really think their days are numbered. From what I've read their activity has been curtailed since the Federal law was passed, and they're rethinking things. This doesn't mean they've gone away, but at least it's a breather. Maybe now we can develop a cohesive plan to get these A$$holes out of our system once and for all.
agreed! :)
Don't flatter me so much! I'm not that familiar with this group, but there was a thread posted on FR a few days ago that provided a lot of information about the organization. They're powerful locally, but with this new Federal law, and the States coming to grips, I have to believe their teeth may be pulled. This particular article makes me hope so.
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