Thread: Group To Protest At Services For Va. Tech Victim

I will never understand how these people think that this type of protesting is right

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Topeka, KS - Members of a controversial Kansas church who have demonstrated at several Oklahoma military funeral services plan to also protest at the memorial service of at least one of the victims of Monday's shootings at Virginia Tech.

According to the website for Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, the group plans to protest Saturday in Evans, Georgia at memorial services for Ryan Clark.

Clark, a 22-year-old senior, was a triple graduate in Psychology, Biology and English and was set to participate in graduation ceremonies next month. He was also a resident advisor at West Ambler Johnston dorm, where he became one of the first to be killed by Cho Seung-Hui in Monday's attack.

Clark was also a member of the school marching band, the Marching Virginians.

Westboro Baptist Church has come under fire for protesting at the funerals of slain servicemen and women. A law was passed last year in the Oklahoma legislature to prohibit protests an hour before and after the ceremonies and the protests cannot come within 500-feet of a cemetery, church or funeral home.

Current legislation in the state legislature would strengthen the ban.

The church members have said soldiers were killed because America tolerates homosexuality.

http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0407/416169.html

What are they protesting???

I don't get it.....even with their sick warped mind to gain publicity for whatever their cause....what are they protesting? How does it relate if at all???

Sick bastards!

not sure what they are/were protesting...

They just released a statement tho (after I posted this) that they are not going to protest any of the VT funerals on certain conditions (radio air time etc etc)

They are a bunch of idiots and I know my God will not be so forgiving when its time for them to meet him.

www.godhatesfags.com is their homepage .... the title says it all

The antidote : http://www.patriotguard.org/

Patriot Guard Riders Mission Statement

The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. If you share this respect, please join us.

We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.

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.

1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.

2. 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.

To those of you who are currently serving and fighting for the freedoms of others, at home and abroad, please know that we are backing you. We honor and support you with every mission we carry out, and we are praying for a safe return home for all.

Board of Directors Statement about Incident at Virginia Tech
16 April, 2007

First and foremost, on behalf of the Patriot Guard Riders and its membership of over 88,000 nationwide, I want to extend our deepest sympathies to all the families that have been impacted by the tragedy at Virginia Tech. There are no words to convey our hurt - nor our condolences - to a proper level. Suffice to say, you are not alone in mourning the loss of a family member, or a friend. The Patriot Guard Riders – and this nation – share in your loss.

There are times when a nation sits in pure shock at the news of a tragedy… 16 APR 07 was such a day. As members of the Patriot Guard Riders, we are all too familiar with the loss of great people. We are all too familiar with young lives – full of promise and hope – ending far too soon. Perhaps nothing is more tragic. This organization was founded with the purpose of honoring those that have given of themselves to serve a cause higher than their own… that of their country. For this, they earned our respect, our admiration, and our unwavering gratitude. However, as we all would agree, great people occupy all walks of life – and impact us everyday. There is a quote from a movie that I am reminded of… “You don’t have to wear a stripe on your arm to have honor”. At times such as this… we realize how true this is.

This nation lost 32 innocent lives – some of them young adults just starting to see their lives take shape – still preparing to make their mark in this world. We lost teachers whose charge was to shape and develop the minds of the future. We lost students who had eyes full of hope, promise, and dreams – all left unrealized, and unfulfilled. We all lost something yesterday… even if it was a simple notion of a peaceful serene existence at such an age in life.

The question has already arisen, “Will the Patriot Guard Riders attend services if invited?”

Some of the victims in this tragedy were members of the Virginia Tech ROTC program. If we are invited by their families, as an organization we will accept these missions and do whatever we can. However, some of the victims were not involved in the military. For those, the Patriot Guard Riders – as an organization – will not be involved. That being said, let me continue…

The strength of the Patriot Guard Riders is not in the organization – but in the membership. Look at the matter in this light… the Patriot Guard Riders is one organization. One organization made up of over 88,000 members - 88,000 members focused on doing what is right to preserve honor, reverence, and respect. As an organization, the PGR must adhere to its mission statement. However, as a person who has vowed to uphold statements like “Never again” and “Because it’s the right thing to do”… I have a choice to take action where action is needed – and support is requested. If you have the opportunity to assist a family in need… whether it be under the name of the PGR or not – do it. Do it, and let others know, for as I said, the strength is not in the organization – but in the people.

Good organizations don’t make good people. Good people make good organizations. And good people do what is right… and take care of our families.

Our families lost some of their own… let’s do our best – on an organizational level – and on a personal level – to take care of them as we would in any other instance.