A faction from a Kansas-based extremist group say they plan to picket the funeral of a Salem soldier killed last week in Iraq.I suppose I should stay away, since this type of thing I find no ability to be civil about. Fortunately, it appears that there is the Patriot Guard Riders, who are a better response than I can rationally come up with. (The most rational I can seem to come up with is firebombing their church with the whole congregation inside.)Members of the Westboro Baptist Church, Topeka, Kan., announced yesterday they will picket the funeral of Army Cpl. Nicholas Arvanitis, scheduled for tomorrow at St. Joseph Church in Salem.
Arvanitis, 22, a member of the Army's Army's 82nd Airborne Division, was killed Oct. 6 while on patrol with special forces.
Westboro Baptist Church has gained notoriety for its extremist public statements in which they criticize those who are fighting in the war and making claims that God is avenging them by killing Americans with Muslim-made weapons.
In response, a local chapter of a national motorcycle honor guard, the Patriot Guard Riders, also plan to attend the funeral, and do what they can to shield Arvanitis' family from the protesters, said group spokesman Quinn Golden.
The Salem Police even sound a bit militant on their reaction to Phelps Protestors.
Last night, Lt. Fred Rheault said Salem police had not received notice of any planned protest, but they are prepared for any scenario.That is a great statement. Not saying much, but in a tone that definitely isn't favorable to Phelps and his church of scumbags."Relative to any such protest -- and I won't give this group any credence by using their name -- but anyone who protests the funeral of a soldier who gave his life for this country, we will give them our fullest attention and have a contingency plan in place for any such protest," Rheault said.
Caught this at Wizbang.
2 comments:
It sounds as if there is anything at all the police can hit them with, they will. The thing is, in any decent size city there are a lot of goofy ordinances and such that are usually ignored, but can be used if the local law enforcement has it in for someone.
Oooh! Oooh! Don't stay away. I'll go with you, Nylar, if you promise to punch one of 'em! That would be fun to see... Of course, the jail time for assault would stink.
I'm glad the cops plan to be on top of them. Protesting funerals is vile.
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