The Westboro Baptist Church from Topeka, Kansas has announced they will protest the funder of Christina Green, the nine-year-old victim of the Tucson shootings. The church attempts to gain publicity by picketing the funerals of people who died from AIDS and soldiers who died in war. Their purpose is to spread their anti-homosexual message. Often they hold up signs which says something akin to “Thank God for dead soldiers” along with some message condemning gays. Thus far the organization has not been met with any violent confrontations, but there is reason to worry this may not be the case in Arizona.
[Slideshow: The nation mourns the losses from the Arizona shootings]
The Westboro Church has always upset the communities they visit, and more importantly the funeral attendees, however, they have never stepped into a story with this much emotion and publicity. When the Westboro Church attempts to protest the funeral of Christina Green, they will be doing so in the face of a community which is deeply upset, and necessarily angry over the senseless killings of their citizens. Many, right or wrong, have blamed the “vitriolic rhetoric”, for helping to cause the shootings in Tucson. Even the majority on the right would consider Westboro’s free speech “vitriolic”, and many more would say it could incite violence. Arizona also has some of the most relaxed gun laws in the country. A counter-protest could feature people with guns at their side shouting nose-to-nose with the members of the Westboro Church, who clearly have not demonstrated ability to remain civil. It is not hard to imagine how, if all tensions rise, another episode of violence could emerge.
[Update: Arizona state legislature passes a law prohibiting any protests within 300 feet of a funeral]
Having sounded that note of caution, there is reason for the hope that non-violence will win the day. A woman named Christine Gilmer is organizing what is being called an “angel action” to oppose the Westboro Church. Their plan is to surround the church members 8-by-10 foot “angel wings” to shield the public from the hate speech of Westboro. Over 40 members of the communities have committed to the plan, and local businesses have chipped by donating materials. It is this kind of pro-active, non-violent action which may help to diffuse an otherwise explosive situation.
Comments
I know a bit about Westboro Baptist and the UNreverend Phelps. The "church" members are all relatives; the men are all lawyers and shysters at that -- they know exactly where they can tiptoe along the thin line between free speech and incitement. AND they are on a hairtrigger to bring charges of assault of obstruction against everyone who stands in their way. They are relentless in court, too.
The Angel Action members --assuming they are silent and DO NOT approach or touch anyone from Westboro Baptist will be OK. Anyone else in Tucson had better be careful. Phelps is a nasty provocateur and a domestic terrorist of the worst kind.
I think you are right Susan, these people are just the worst dregs of society and are looking for a confrontation so they can sue the pants off of anyone and everyone and bask in the media attention they receive.
Unfortunately in the free society we enjoy, garbage like this is a burden we must bear, that human waste such as the Westboro crowd who intentionally seek to cause emotional harm is some times the price we pay so all of us can enjoy the freedom of speech.
I am just sorry to see that they are teaching this complete garbage to their kids.
Fred W. and Margie M. Phelps, Sr.
Westboro Baptist Church
phone: 785-273-0325 and 785-273-0338
fax: 785-273-9228
Karl and Deborah Kay Hockenbarger
James Hockenbarger/Jennifer Hockenbarger
home: (913) 233-1848
K-K-Karl’s work: 785-296-3959
Fred W. Phelps. Jr. and Betty Phelps
home: 785-272-4135
Jr.’s work: 785-296-3195
Margie J. Phelps
home: 785-273-7380
work: 785-296-3317
Ben Phelps
home: 785-233-4162
Rebekah Phelps-Davis and Chris Davis-Phelps
home: 785-272-7741
Shirley Phelps-Roper and Brent Roper-Phelps
Sam Phelps-Roper
home: 785-273-1445/273-0277/272-1619
Shirley’s work: 785-233-4162
Brent’s work (Foot Locker) 785-273-0068
Jonathan and Paulette Phelps
Jonathan’s work: 785-233-4162
Elizabeth Phelps
home: 785-234-9694
work: 785-233-0822
Abigail Phelps
785-273-7262
work: 785-296-7709
Charles W. and Mary Hockenbarger
home: 785- 246-1567
Rachel Phelps Hockenbarger and Charles F. Hockenbarger
home: 785-271-1619
Tim and LeAnn Phelps
home: 785-273-4780
Tim’s work: 785-291-5100
Leann’s work: phone: 785-233-4162
Theresa Davis
work: 785-291-700
YES, I AGREE 100%
i wish i could go
Almost enough to make me wish I beleived in a "just god."
If ever there was anyone who deserved the eternal torment of the damned, it's the Westboro Gang.
AS A MEMBER OF THE PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS AND A PROUD ARMY WIFE, I AGREE WITH SUSAN.
FOR THOSE THAT MAY GO OUT AND COUNTER PROTEST, AS MUCH AS YOU MAY WANT TO--PLEASE DO NOT SAY ANYTHING TO THESE PEOPLE-DO NOT TOUCH THEM-DO NOT THROW ANYTHING AT THEM--TURN YOUR BACKS TO THEM--SHOW THEM THE DISRESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE!!
TAKE PICTURES OF WHAT THEY DO--WATCH THEM CLOSELY--IF THEY HAVE THE AMERICAN FLAG--MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE NOT DISRESPECTING IT--IF THEY STAND ON IT OR BURN IT OR LET IT TOUCH THE GROUND--GET A
PICTURE OF IT. THIS CAN BE CONSIDERED AS A CLASS 4 FELONY IN SOME STATES!!! CHECK YOUR STATE'S LAWS ABOUT IT!!
I too am a member of the Patriot Rider Guard and I agree with you totality. When WBC came to Waldorf MD to protest a fallen marine people turned out in the thousands. We got our message across and WBC lost out. Proud RET military wife.
Unfortunately, i do not live in America, and regret the fact that i can not be a part of the Angel Action. However, my heart does go out to little Christina Green and her family, and to all of the victims and families of war and AIDS that the Westboro Baptist "Church" has affected. They are scum of the lowest order, and I can only hope that, in the near future, something can be done to prevent pieces of human waste from blighting the innocent with their hatred.
on a side note, i would happily go to prison if it would mean giving them just a small taste of what they deserve.
Craig Thomas, UK
Wow, mona, thanks for yelling us to death...
Really, just mace these bastards into the ground, and when the cops show up, make sure you're story that they came at you physically and you were in fear for your safety sticks (witnesses helps, the cops have no love for these psychos).
If this were the response at every event at which the Westboro gang showed up, they'd be done in about a week...
Talk about having it both ways....
On one thread, you self-describe as, "those of us who espouse the edicts of the Constitution of the United States of America..."
Yet here you are advocating illegal assault against someone exercising (regardless of how reprehensibly) their First Amendment rights.
That Constitution only applies when you like the results, huh?
sorry for the all caps in my last comment--I currently have an issue with low vision and all caps helps me to be able to see and decipher the letters!! again I apologize.
Your idea sounds good and it is what they deserve but it wouldn't work since the group video tapes every protest to ensure that they have proof when they are attacked by counter protesters!!
Wow URU you should feel bad. I do not like ALL CAPS either but try to be a bit more gentle next time in your rebuke.
thank you Ryan--I get it all the time but usually when I explain, people understand!! I need to learn that when I use all caps, most folks think that I am yelling so I need to remember to turn them off!!
Thank you again and I will try hard to remember when I am posting on your page!!
Thank you again!!
These so called Baptists need to be re-baptized; and to be sure that it works this time let's hold them under water for an hour or so!
Works for me......
me, too
Yawn: Obviously, you've not had the "pleasure" of dealing with them personally It's one thing to comment from the cheap seats; it is quite another to have to have had dealt with them several times in the past three years.. yep, I'd like to kick em collectively in their shins. Illegal, I suppose; deserved, heck yes!
Hmmm... which part of "eternal torment of the damned" was too complicated for you to understand?
But URU woofs about how the constitution is ALL -- until he doesn't like that it lets the Westboro Gang be as obnoxious as they want to be.
And yes, I've seen them way too close - but also seen peaceful counter-protesters like the Patriot Guard cut them off at the knees... without abrogating the Constitution.
Tons of people seem to be getting the story wrong. I'm going to the service tomorrow to show support, and trust me, it is not going to be a hot bed of violence waiting to erupt. Pima County Sheriff's Dept. is the one blocking off Westboro, and thanks to a new law that passed today banning any demonstrations within 300 feet of a funeral/memorial, the Angels will probably not be needed to block the signs.
This really isn't even a counter-protest. There will be no anti-WBC signs, no shouting, no fights. Everyone has been told time and time again that we will not be anywhere near the WBC (even the Angels would be seperated by a police barrier) and there are instructions to remain silent and simply line the streets leading up to the church to show support.
WBC really makes me wish that hell is real so that upon my arrival I can begin personally torturing these hatemongers.
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