|
Posted on 09/21/2007 3:44:42 PM PDT by SLB
RADCLIFF — Members of gay-bashing Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., plan to picket the funeral Saturday of Pfc. Sammie Phillips.
The group will protest before services begin at 2 p.m. at Stithton Baptist Church in Radcliff, according to a news release that also features biblical quotations and interpretations.
The church advised Radcliff police of its plans. Organizers asked the department to designate an area for 10 church members to picket, police spokesman Bryce Shumate said.
They will be restricted to an area across Dixie Boulevard and about 300 feet away from the church.
The Patriot Guard Riders also will attend the funeral and visitation today at Coffey and Chism Funeral Home in Vine Grove, said Melinda Willcut, an administrative assistant at the church. ADVERTISEMENT *
The riders attend services for military members as invited guests. Their objectives are to show respect for the deceased and shield family and friends from interruptions caused by protesters, according to the group’s Web site.
“We’re really happy for those attitudes,” Willcut said, referring to the guard.
Shumate said police will be patrolling the area Saturday to ensure order.
“Our main concern … is it’s our job to ensure the safety of the folks and citizens in Radcliff,” he said, adding that included visitors.
Westboro Baptist Church and its controversial leader, the Rev. Fred Phelps, claim homosexuals run the country and military and call the deaths of those serving the military punishments from God. Similar protests in Kentucky led legislators to enact laws regulating protests at funerals.
Phillips, 19, of Vine Grove, served in the Kentucky National Army Guard and was killed Sept. 10 when his vehicle overturned while on a traffic control mission near Rustamiyah, Iraq. He was a 2006 North Hardin High School graduate.
|
BTTT.
I would say thank God for them in more ways than one. If they weren’t there who knows what would happen?!?? This so called church has undertaken a very dangerous practice. People are grieving for their loved ones...they don’t need nor do they want this trashy so called church and their trash members anywhere around protesting at the funeral of their loved one. There should be a law against this. I know there are rights and all of that but it seems it only applies to jerks like these.
Trash church. Trash people. First off to ASSume they know what God is thinking surely does make an ASS out of them!!!
Uh-huh, Sarge. This is just a Soros front group.
Does this ridiculous excuse for a church have tax exemption? If so, it should be revoked.
PFC Phillips sister, Dominique, used to work with me at the Lowe's here in E-Town, but had recently transferred to a store in Clarksville, Tenn. when her husband was stationed at Fort Campbell.
From what I understand, yes they do.
It’s about thirty miles south of Louisville, Kentucky and right at the southern border of the Fort Knox military reservation.
And it’s Dixie Highway, not boulevard.
Where DO they get their traveling money? George Soros?
Good work on your part. I wish I were closer and could come help.
Maybe a group of veterans or supporters of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan should go an demonstrate against Phelps' church.
Have they won a case?
Sort of insulting.
I’m sure they have extorted money from people through the courts.
Every mission we are warned that that’s one of their intentions...to provoke a physical confrontation so they can turn around and sue for money....but I don’t know specifically where/when that’s happened before.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
