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GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. -- Once again, Westboro Baptist Church is threatening to stage a protest at the funeral of an Upstate soldier.
On Westboro’s website, it says: “God hates America and is killing our troops in his wrath. Military funerals have become pagan orgies of idolatrous blasphemy, where they pray to the dunghill gods of Sodom AND play taps to a fallen fool. This message to be preached in respectful, lawful proximity to the memorial of Pfc. Justin M. Whitmire Sat., Jan.7, at 12:15 p.m. First Baptist Church Simpsonville, 3 Hedge Street, Simpsonville …"
Westboro claims to have protested more than 43,000 funerals over 20 years.
Radio Debate Prevents Protest
Last March, Upstate News radio station WORD, 106.3 FM, hosted a one-hour on-air debate with Westboro Baptist Church members in exchange for the group staying away from the funeral of Senior Airman Nick Alden, from Williamston, S.C. (Full Story)
Westboro said it was only the 21st time they chose to trade the right to protest for radio time. Three of those times were for the funeral of five Amish girls slaughtered in a school house, the massacre at Virginia Tech and the shootings in Tuscon.
Court Decides In Westboro’s Favor
Several times, requests to stop Westboro’s funeral protests have been taken to court. In March 2011, in an 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in the church’s favor.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion: "What Westboro said, in the whole context of how and where it chose to say it, is entitled to 'special protection' under the First Amendment and that protection cannot be overcome by a jury finding that the picketing was outrageous."
Counter Protests React To Westboro
In some cases, there have been counter-protests at Westboro picket sites where the counter-protestors line up and turn their backs toward the Westboro members, shielding those attending services.
Two days after Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Jared Dailey,19, stood across from the church with a sign saying, “Not today, Fred,” in response to Westboro founder Fred Phelps. It has since been a common motto with counter-protestors.
In 2005, the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle club was formed to protect the families of deceased troops from Westboro protesters. The PGR now includes others who are not motorcyclists, but who have joined to shield families from protesters.
The PGR website says: “Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives: show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities; and shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors. We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.”
The members of the group often hold American flags and sometimes sing patriotic songs to drown out protesters’ chants.
Church Focused On Whitmire, Not Possible Protests
Even though Westboro’s threat to protest has been in the media, Pastor Terry Rogers said, “Our focus is on Justin’s memory and his family.”
Rogers said he is aware of the bulletin that Westboro posted, but said he is not going to give the organization any attention that will take away from Whitmire’s funeral.
Rogers confirmed that the Patriot Guard will be present for Justin’s viewing and funeral. He said that was already previously planned. Rogers said the Guard members pay their respects if the family allows them. The Guard makes it clear their attendance isn't always about shielding families from protesters. It's more about showing respect for the fallen troops and their families.
Rogers said the Whitmire family will allow the Patriot Guard to line up in support of their son. He said two of Justin’s relatives are Patriot Guard members and will be part of the line.
On Friday, the Patriot Guard confirmed that they will be staging at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church at 205 E. College St. in Simpsonville. Patriot Guard members were already on hand to escort Whitmire's casket when it arrived in the Upstate Thursday.
Those who wish to pay their respects to Whitmire and his family are expected to line Highway 14 (417) and other streets near the First Baptist Church in Simpsonville.
Visitation for Whitmire is Friday at Faith Renewed Outreach Center in Mauldin from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Images: Pfc. Justin Whitmire
The funeral service is Saturday at 1 p.m. at Simpsonville First Baptist Church.
Whitmire will be buried with full military honors in Cannon Memorial Park.
One Facebook organizer is asking people to line main street Simpsonville and Fountain Inn with American flags, the processional from the church starting at about 1:30 p.m.
Related Video:
Radio Debate Will Keep Protesters From Airman's Funeral Protestors Cancel Plans For Alden Funeral
Read more: http://www.wyff4.com/news/30143621/detail.html#ixzz1ikBEcuYg
On Westboro’s website, it says: “God hates America and is killing our troops in his wrath. Military funerals have become pagan orgies of idolatrous blasphemy, where they pray to the dunghill gods of Sodom AND play taps to a fallen fool. This message to be preached in respectful, lawful proximity to the memorial of Pfc. Justin M. Whitmire Sat., Jan.7, at 12:15 p.m. First Baptist Church Simpsonville, 3 Hedge Street, Simpsonville …"
Westboro claims to have protested more than 43,000 funerals over 20 years.
Radio Debate Prevents Protest
Last March, Upstate News radio station WORD, 106.3 FM, hosted a one-hour on-air debate with Westboro Baptist Church members in exchange for the group staying away from the funeral of Senior Airman Nick Alden, from Williamston, S.C. (Full Story)
Westboro said it was only the 21st time they chose to trade the right to protest for radio time. Three of those times were for the funeral of five Amish girls slaughtered in a school house, the massacre at Virginia Tech and the shootings in Tuscon.
Court Decides In Westboro’s Favor
Several times, requests to stop Westboro’s funeral protests have been taken to court. In March 2011, in an 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in the church’s favor.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion: "What Westboro said, in the whole context of how and where it chose to say it, is entitled to 'special protection' under the First Amendment and that protection cannot be overcome by a jury finding that the picketing was outrageous."
Counter Protests React To Westboro
In some cases, there have been counter-protests at Westboro picket sites where the counter-protestors line up and turn their backs toward the Westboro members, shielding those attending services.
Two days after Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Jared Dailey,19, stood across from the church with a sign saying, “Not today, Fred,” in response to Westboro founder Fred Phelps. It has since been a common motto with counter-protestors.
In 2005, the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle club was formed to protect the families of deceased troops from Westboro protesters. The PGR now includes others who are not motorcyclists, but who have joined to shield families from protesters.
The PGR website says: “Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives: show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities; and shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors. We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.”
The members of the group often hold American flags and sometimes sing patriotic songs to drown out protesters’ chants.
Church Focused On Whitmire, Not Possible Protests
Even though Westboro’s threat to protest has been in the media, Pastor Terry Rogers said, “Our focus is on Justin’s memory and his family.”
Rogers said he is aware of the bulletin that Westboro posted, but said he is not going to give the organization any attention that will take away from Whitmire’s funeral.
Rogers confirmed that the Patriot Guard will be present for Justin’s viewing and funeral. He said that was already previously planned. Rogers said the Guard members pay their respects if the family allows them. The Guard makes it clear their attendance isn't always about shielding families from protesters. It's more about showing respect for the fallen troops and their families.
Rogers said the Whitmire family will allow the Patriot Guard to line up in support of their son. He said two of Justin’s relatives are Patriot Guard members and will be part of the line.
On Friday, the Patriot Guard confirmed that they will be staging at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church at 205 E. College St. in Simpsonville. Patriot Guard members were already on hand to escort Whitmire's casket when it arrived in the Upstate Thursday.
Those who wish to pay their respects to Whitmire and his family are expected to line Highway 14 (417) and other streets near the First Baptist Church in Simpsonville.
Visitation for Whitmire is Friday at Faith Renewed Outreach Center in Mauldin from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Images: Pfc. Justin Whitmire
The funeral service is Saturday at 1 p.m. at Simpsonville First Baptist Church.
Whitmire will be buried with full military honors in Cannon Memorial Park.
One Facebook organizer is asking people to line main street Simpsonville and Fountain Inn with American flags, the processional from the church starting at about 1:30 p.m.
Related Video:
Radio Debate Will Keep Protesters From Airman's Funeral Protestors Cancel Plans For Alden Funeral Read more: http://www.wyff4.com/news/30143621/detail.html#ixzz1ikBEcuYg
