Two local communities brace for controversial church group

January 6, 2011 6:35 AM

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aprotestors Two local communities brace for controversial church group

(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

BETHALTO, Ill. (KMOX) - When members of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas show up to picket the funeral of a fallen Metro East soldier, Illinois State Police will be on hand to keep the peace.

Bartender Bob Moyer at American Legion Post 214 in Bethalto told KMOX’s Kevin Killeen that his customers are understandably angry about the pending protest.

“They got no business at a military funeral,” Moyer said. “Let the family grieve.”

Just down the street at Deb’s Barber Shop and Salon, hairdresser Lannon Liedke said customers are saddened by the death of Lance Corporal Kenneth Corzine.

“They’re so proud that he served for his country and gave his life for his country,” she said.

A special unit of Illinois State Police troopers will be stationed near protestors from the Topeka, Kansas church group in an effort to avert trouble, as many counter-protestors are also expected.

At the same time, there are plans to counter-protest a planned demonstration by Westboro members in St. Charles.

Tom Kuypers with the St. Charles Veteran’s Committee plans to have his group ready for the face-off at the county office building.

“We’re just going to mind our manners and have a little bit of fun, and make sure we make our presence known,” said Kuypers.

In November, St. Charles County authorized a ban against protests near military funerals.

That measure was championed by County Council member Joe Brazil.

“We say c’mon, and bring it on!”, Brazil said. “We’re going to have a counter-protest to say what knuckleheads they are, so that’s what it’s all about.”

A hearing on whether the St. Charles County ordinance is constitutional is set for January 18th.

(Copyright KMOX Radio)

Two local communities brace for controversial church group

moreofthesame

God Bless LC Corzine, he gave his all for the defence of his country.

I fail to understand what these a-holes from Kansas expect to accomplish, other than shock value, from their protest at his funeral.

If these truly where God fearing Christians, which I doubt, then they would allow the family to grieve and the area to give honor to a hero.

It is unthinkable to use this man’s funeral as a PR stunt. There is a special place in hell for those folks, and it would be appropriate if they were sent on their merry way as they protest the funeral.
Cam

The westboro babtist is not a “church”, it is a hate group. They are in it for the money and the press. Most of the members of this “church” are attorneys. If any other group showed up at your door, would they get away with this? No! Why do they? Any one can say they are a “church”, that is not going to make you a Church! We in this country let a lot pass for “church”. This is not about freedom, it is about being human. They are a danger to freedom of all.
V Allen

It amazes me that the media gives this ridiculous group so much publicity. Shame on all who do! Please ignore the and maybe with any luck at all — they will go away!
Allen

It amazes me that the media gives this ridiculous group so much publicity. Shame on all who do! Please ignore them and maybe with any luck at all — they will go away!
j

One of these days, someone is going to take it into their heads to deal with these idiots in a final,…very final way, and then they will be screaming and yelling they were persecuted. I can’t believe that some sniper hasn’t taken aim at one of them yet. Really, nuts usually attract like. God save us all from idiots….and these are so definitely idiots…and should be ashamed for claiming they are doing anything in God’s name.
TJ JAMES

Please check our group out on facebook and read our desrciption. So that we can show we have more support then this HEADLINE GRABBING HATE GROUP.AMERICAN CITIZENS AGAINST WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH