KKK Counter-Protests Westboro Church

[FAPTurbo]

Washington (CNN) -- Protesting members of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church were met with an unlikely group of counter-protesters Monday at Arlington National Cemetery.

Hours before President Barack Obama led the nation's Memorial Day observances at the Tomb of the Unknowns, three members of the Westboro Baptist Church were challenged by others who disagreed with them -- including members claiming to be from the Ku Klux Klan.

The Kansas-based church has attracted nationwide attention for its angry, anti-gay protests at the funerals of U.S. military members.

Among those counter-protesting at the cemetery's main entrance: About 10 members of a group that claims to be a branch of the Ku Klux Klan from Virginia called the Knights of the Southern Cross. They were cordoned off separately in a nearby area, but drew little attention as they gave out small American flags behind a banner that read "POW-MIA."

They said they were there to object to the Westboro Baptist Church's anti-troop message.

"It's the soldier that fought and died and gave them that right to free speech," said Dennis LaBonte, the self-described "Imperial Wizard" of the KKK group that he said he formed several years ago.

"That's fine," said Abigail Phelps, the daughter of Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps. "They have no moral authority on anything.

"People like them say it's white power ... white supremacy," Phelps said. "The Bible doesn't say anywhere that it's an abomination to be born of a certain gender or race."

LaBonte insisted he is not a racist nor a "hate-monger," but said he believes the white race is "slowly and most assuredly being denigrated."

Members of the group declined to say whether they were armed.

A larger group of about 70 protesters -- separate from the KKK -- located across the street waved pro-USA signs and took turns shouting down the Westboro Baptist Church group.

Some of the counter-protesters, including Malaika Elias, stood in front of the Westboro participants in an attempt to block them from street view.

"I think they're twisted and confused, and we're just here to show them there are people who think they're completely wrong," Elias said.

Many passersby shouted their thanks to the counter-protesters as they entered the cemetery on foot and in vehicles.

Several police officers, some on horseback, observed the proceedings.

Phelps said her trio was there to tell people they should not "idolize" the dead, especially those who died for an "unrighteous cause."

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/05/30/arlington.cemetery.protesters/index.html

You know you're a group of colossal assfaces when the KKK says, 'Hey! You guys are colossal assfaces!'

[Robert Hall]

These truly are strange days and harsh times.

Edited June 1, 2011 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Intrepidation]

Yeah you know you've hit rock bottom on the scale of human decency when the KKK thinks you're going too far.

[ocnblu]

Extremism from any corner is a detriment.

[Blake Noble]

I'm almost at a loss for words. This is how far Westboro has gone? The KKK is berating them now? At what point will someone stand up and act to dissolve this "church"?

[daves87rs]

These truly are strange days and harsh times.

+1

[§carlet §wordfish]

At what point will someone stand up and act to dissolve this "church"?

When someone goes back in time and re-writes the Bible.

[Robert Hall]

At what point will someone stand up and act to dissolve this "church"?

I know their disgusting actions/etc all are protected by the freedom of speech and freedom of religion, but I'd have no problem w/ the FBI or DHS showing up at their place at night in black Suburbans and dissapearing them permanently.

[PurdueGuy]

I'm almost at a loss for words. This is how far Westboro has gone? The KKK is berating them now? At what point will someone stand up and act to dissolve this "church"?

When they go beyond using their free speech and into doing something that actually works against the rights of others. They're a screwed up bunch for sure, but to shut them up and take away their free speech is to open a path toward everyone losing rights.

[ZL-1]

Yeah you know you've hit rock bottom on the scale of human decency when the KKK thinks you're going too far.

Agreed.

[loki]

At what point will someone stand up and act to dissolve this "church"?

When someone goes back in time and re-writes the Bible.

they have. it's called mormanism. haha

[Turbojett]

Hey everybody, look! It's a domestic terrorist group trying to take on a bunch of sacrilegious zealots!

[Potluck]

and it's the muslims we're scared of?

[OhioTom76]

I love it that someone bought the house across the street from their main headquarters, and painted it all up like a rainbow. I think they even held a gay wedding there too. The Westboro folks are only antagonizing people so they can incite violence from them then turn around and sue them. This is how they make their livings. The more people ignore them the more they will go out of business.

[Drew Dowdell]

OhioTom is right... I think almost all of the adult members have law degrees specifically for this purpose.

[OhioTom76]

There have been some creative protests of them as well. I've seen biker groups for example stage stand-ins where they will block off the Westboro Baptist Church members and drown them out, making their protests a moot point.