Hate church plans protest at funeral of 9-year-old killed in AZ shooting
Sun. January 9, 2011 5:08 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
Tucson, AZ -
The controversial Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) and Rev. Fred Phelps have been quick to capitalize on Saturday's tragic shootings in Tucson.
The Topeka-based church, known for protesting the funerals of American soldiers, released a statement shortly after the shootings with the headline, "Thank God for the shooter - 6 dead! WBC will picket their funerals!"
"God sent the shooter!," the statement continued. "Your fag-loving Congresswoman fights for her life."
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) was targeted and shot Saturday morning at a supermarket in Tucson. She remains in critical condition.
Six other people died, including a 9-year-old girl, who was the granddaughter of former Yankees and Mets manager Dallas Green, Arizona Federal Court Judge John Roll and an aide to the congresswoman, Gabe Zimmerman.
Always looking for attention - even negative - Westboro Baptist Church members plan to picket memorial services of the shooting victims.
Westboro Baptist Church, is not affiliated with a larger denomination and is made up mostly of the 71-year-old Phelps' extended family. WBC is monitored by the Anti-Defamation League and is classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Phelps and his church gained national attention when they protested at the funeral of Matthew Shephard with signs that read "No Fags in Heaven" and "God Hates Fags."
In December, Westboro Baptist Church picketed the funeral of Elizabeth Edwards.
Related:
Gay intern helped save Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' life
Ariz. Rep. Giffords strong supporter of LGBT rights, HRC responds to shooting
The Topeka-based church, known for protesting the funerals of American soldiers, released a statement shortly after the shootings with the headline, "Thank God for the shooter - 6 dead! WBC will picket their funerals!"
"God sent the shooter!," the statement continued. "Your fag-loving Congresswoman fights for her life."
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) was targeted and shot Saturday morning at a supermarket in Tucson. She remains in critical condition.
Six other people died, including a 9-year-old girl, who was the granddaughter of former Yankees and Mets manager Dallas Green, Arizona Federal Court Judge John Roll and an aide to the congresswoman, Gabe Zimmerman.
Always looking for attention - even negative - Westboro Baptist Church members plan to picket memorial services of the shooting victims.
Westboro Baptist Church, is not affiliated with a larger denomination and is made up mostly of the 71-year-old Phelps' extended family. WBC is monitored by the Anti-Defamation League and is classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Phelps and his church gained national attention when they protested at the funeral of Matthew Shephard with signs that read "No Fags in Heaven" and "God Hates Fags."
In December, Westboro Baptist Church picketed the funeral of Elizabeth Edwards.
Related:
Gay intern helped save Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' life
Ariz. Rep. Giffords strong supporter of LGBT rights, HRC responds to shooting