"Patriot Guard" bikers against funeral protest

[BeauJ]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/02/21/fun....ap/index.html

Tuesday, February 21, 2006; Posted: 7:55 a.m. EST (12:55 GMT)

FORT CAMPBELL, Kentucky (AP) -- Wearing vests covered in military patches, a band of motorcyclists rolls around the country from one soldier's funeral to another, cheering respectfully to overshadow jeers from church protesters.

They call themselves the Patriot Guard Riders, and they are more than 5,000 strong, forming to counter anti-gay protests held by the Rev. Fred Phelps at military funerals.

Phelps believes American deaths in Iraq are divine punishment for a country that he says harbors homosexuals. His protesters carry signs thanking God for so-called IEDs -- explosives that are a major killer of soldiers in Iraq.

The bikers shield the families of dead soldiers from the protesters, and overshadow the jeers with patriotic chants and a sea of red, white and blue flags.

"The most important thing we can do is let families know that the nation cares," said Don Woodrick, the group's Kentucky captain. "When a total stranger gets on a motorcycle in the middle of winter and drives 300 miles to hold a flag, that makes a powerful statement."

At least 14 states are considering laws aimed at the funeral protesters, who at a recent memorial service at Fort Campbell wrapped themselves in upside-down American flags. They danced and sang impromptu songs peppered with vulgarities that condemned homosexuals and soldiers.

The Patriot Guard was also there, waving up a ruckus of support for the families across the street. Community members came in the freezing rain to chant "U-S-A, U-S-A" alongside them.

"This is just the right thing to do. This is something America didn't do in the '70s," said Kurt Mayer, the group's national spokesman. "Whether we agree with why we're over there, these soldiers are dying to protect our freedoms."

Shirley Phelps-Roper, a daughter of Fred Phelps and an attorney for the Topeka, Kansas-based church, said neither state laws nor the Patriot Guard can silence their message that God killed the soldiers because they fought for a country that embraces homosexuals.

"The scriptures are crystal clear that when God sets out to punish a nation, it is with the sword. An IED is just a broken-up sword," Phelps-Roper said. "Since that is his weapon of choice, our forum of choice has got to be a dead soldier's funeral."

The church, Westboro Baptist Church, is not affiliated with a larger denomination and is made up mostly of Fred Phelps' extended family members.

During the 1990s, church members were known mostly for picketing the funerals of AIDS victims, and they have long been tracked as a hate group by the Montgomery, Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project.

The project's deputy director, Heidi Beirich, said other groups have tried to counter Phelps' message, but none has been as organized as the Patriot Guard.

"I'm not sure anybody has gone to this length to stand in solidarity," she said. "It's nice that these veterans and their supporters are trying to do something. I can't imagine anything worse, your loved one is killed in Iraq and you've got to deal with Fred Phelps."

Kentucky, home to sprawling Fort Campbell along the Tennessee line, was among the first states to attempt to deal with Phelps legislatively. Its House and Senate have each passed bills that would limit people from protesting within 300 feet of a funeral or memorial service. The Senate version would also keep protesters from being within earshot of grieving friends and family members.

Richard Wilbur, a retired police detective, said his Indiana Patriot Guard group only comes to funerals if invited by family. He said he has no problem with protests against the war but sees no place for objectors at a family's final goodbye to a soldier.

"No one deserves this," he said.

[slravene]

hell yea.

[Rhett]

The Missouri Legislature just passed a bill banning protests at funerals. The gov is expected to sign it into law very soon.

[therise21]

those are some good people. how would mr phelps feel if we all showed up at a family members funeral causing a disturbance? these laws need to be passed now.

[BeauJ]

The only sad part is this:

At least 14 states are considering laws aimed at the funeral protesters

I think that should be "50".

[inh]

Im glad to hear that. As a soldier (a new one but a soldier none the less) those protests really pissed me off...

[unclemeat]

I think it should be 50 too!

[Flounder]

Originally Posted by BeauJ

The only sad part is this:

I think that should be "50".

Not that I condone the actions whatsoever; if anything, I applaud the bikers.

However, laws like these run head first into the First Amendment right to assembly. It's not that the rest of the states are unsympathetic. It's merely that they know that they could be dealing with a short-lived, unenforceable piece of legislation. And you know the protestors won't waste time throwing money at lawyers to challenge the laws. If they protect, they will sue, too.

[slravene]

I understand your thinking....but the 1st amendment only stands until you begin to infringe on someone elses rights. Sure there is no "right" to a peaceful burial ceremony, but that should fall under the Preamble:

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

These "religious radicals" are not only destroying domestic tranquility, they are NOT promoting genral Welfare (several different meanings, i know) and they are infringing on the un-written rights of the deceased soldiers and thier families.

**Just my opinion

['97 V8]

slravene is right, when it comes to infringing on anothers rights ,that becomes the issue. Aside from rights and other things, its is just blatinly disrespectful to protoest like that at one of our fallen hero's funerals. Mr. Phelps should be takin out back and shot, and that is my opinion. Nothing tweeks me more than disrespect towards our soldiers especially from a fellow american.

[BShow]

If those F-in protestors dont like this country then get the fuk outta here. I think that our country should declare war on funeral protestors.

This group of bikers are some of the best Americans in this country.

[Rhett]

Originally Posted by AdamCKach

However, laws like these run head first into the First Amendment right to assembly.

The courts might rule otherwise Adam, based on the Schenk decision on the limits of free speech, not so much the right of assembly I think:

http://alt-usage-english.org/excerpts/fxshouti.html

Schenck v. United States (1919), setting limits on the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Junior, wrote: "The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing a panic."

We'll just have to wait and see if there is a challenge to the new laws.

[Flounder]

I'm not saying they will win. I'm merely saying that it is a reason why more states are not acting. It's the wait and see approach, just like with the abortion question that the Supreme Court will soon consider. Only a few states have tested it; the others waited.

As for the guy who protests (not the bikers, but the other guy), he was on a radio show here in Philly today. He is a hateful, classless, you name it individual.

[Kadahaf]

I think these nam vets need to find something better to do. This is horrible, protesting at a FUNERAL?!? what's with people now a days?

[SPORT4.0]

Right On ...Man!!!! I applaud the Bikers!!!!

['97 V8]

Originally Posted by BeauJ

The project's deputy director, Heidi Beirich, said other groups have tried to counter Phelps' message, but none has been as organized as the Patriot Guard.

"I'm not sure anybody has gone to this length to stand in solidarity," she said. "It's nice that these veterans and their supporters are trying to do something. I can't imagine anything worse, your loved one is killed in Iraq and you've got to deal with Fred Phelps."


Richard Wilbur, a retired police detective, said his Indiana Patriot Guard group only comes to funerals if invited by family. He said he has no problem with protests against the war but sees no place for objectors at a family's final goodbye to a soldier.

"No one deserves this," he said.

the families dont have a prob with the vets, its with the phelps protestors they have a problem with.

[Rhett]

Originally Posted by Kadahaf

I think these nam vets need to find something better to do.

You do? It wasn't the vets who were protesting. The vets were the ones doing the shielding and protecting for the grieving families.

[Rhett]

I've read about the Rev. Phelps before. Pretty wild goat if you ask me.

[BeauJ]

Originally Posted by Kadahaf

I think these nam vets need to find something better to do. This is horrible, protesting at a FUNERAL?!? what's with people now a days?

Did you even read the article??

[BeauJ]

Originally Posted by AdamCKach

Not that I condone the actions whatsoever; if anything, I applaud the bikers.

However, laws like these run head first into the First Amendment right to assembly. It's not that the rest of the states are unsympathetic. It's merely that they know that they could be dealing with a short-lived, unenforceable piece of legislation. And you know the protestors won't waste time throwing money at lawyers to challenge the laws. If they protect, they will sue, too.

Well, as a proud blooded American, that's my patriotism talking. They are over the line, and with you in the law field, I know there is no changing your mind.