02/08/2008

Reno, Nevada Stopped from Receiving Word that God Hates Them

The Westboro Baptist Church made a trip to Reno, Nevada to picket a soldier's funeral on January 26th but were effectively blocked by a group of counter-demonstrators. Watch the tensions rise as they are surrounded.

Good As You notes that Westboro is using this "news video" to show that police acted inappropropriately toward them. It may be that the "news video" itself is a piece of Westboro-created propaganda, since no one can seem to find a news reporter by the name of Frank Douglas in the Reno area.

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Posted 3:50 PM EST by Andy in Fred Phelps, Nevada, News, Shirley Phelps-Roper | Permalink

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Comments

1. It's pretty sad when a family can't mourn the passing of a loved one because of something like this. It just shows how some people beliefs blind them to the real troubles of the world.

   Posted by: Dee | Feb 8, 2008 4:19:11 PM

   
   

2. Somebody should organize some group that shows up at every Phelps demonstration with big angel's wings (like for Matthew Shepard's funeral) or big flags or something to completely block people from seeing Phelps. Just remain completely silent or singing or something. No jabs, no jeers, no hatred, no responding to the Phelps' people's taunts, just blocking them from the view of the mourners.

   Posted by: Travis | Feb 8, 2008 4:34:43 PM

   
   

3. What an IRONY!! Both of these groups undoubtedly hate gays! Maybe they should sit down and discuss what they have in COMMON rather than what separates them. These two groups probably feel EXACTLY the same about gay people. Disgust and hatred.
   They're all a bunch of primitives, if you ask me.

   Posted by: Dan | Feb 8, 2008 4:44:35 PM

   
   

4. Ask yourself this question!:

   If those bikers were forced to pick a side when protesting at a gay man's funeral ... either go to the funeral or protest is like Fred Phelps does... I'd betcha that they'd all be on the ANTI-gay side of things.

   Posted by: Dan | Feb 8, 2008 4:46:46 PM

   
   

5. I can guarantee you that those leather-clad veterans were cheering Fred Phelps on when he was picketing the funerals of dead gay men. Guaranteed!! Military people massively hate gay people. Believe me, I know!

   Posted by: Mike | Feb 8, 2008 4:54:37 PM

   
   

6. Neither of you have a clue as to whether the veterans or bikers would cheer at a gay person's funeral. This sort of speculation is uncalled for.

   Posted by: homer | Feb 8, 2008 6:24:49 PM

   
   

7. as for me i've been around bikers and they are okay with me... i've had sailor and a marine and they we're quite nice too... yumm

   Posted by: the queen | Feb 8, 2008 6:42:48 PM

   
   

8. I have been around bikers all my life, and it amazes me how bad a wrap they get. Scenes like this show how involved and caring they are. Way to go guys!

   Rob

   Posted by: Rob | Feb 8, 2008 8:03:48 PM

   
   

9. Thank God for the "counter" protestors! Now if Phelps could only face this EVERYWHERE he sent his minions it would be great! He needs to be stopped regardless....LOSER!

   Posted by: RB | Feb 8, 2008 8:33:08 PM

   
   

10. I have never been so proud to be from Reno!

    Posted by: Scooter | Feb 8, 2008 9:52:03 PM

    
    

11. Somebody should organize some group that shows up at every Phelps demonstration with big angel's wings (like for Matthew Shepard's funeral) or big flags or something to completely block people from seeing Phelps. Just remain completely silent or singing or something. No jabs, no jeers, no hatred, no responding to the Phelps' people's taunts, just blocking them from the view of the mourners.

    POSTED BY: TRAVIS | FEB 8, 2008 4:34:43 PM

    They do. These bikers have for years paid respect for the soldiers and kept Phelps and his heard at bay.

    http://wizbangblog.com/content/2005/10/12/vfw-bikers-drow.php

    Thank God for Google. People inform your selves.

    Posted by: patrick nyc | Feb 8, 2008 10:20:38 PM

    
    

12. bikers are actually usually pretty liberal. it just goes to show you how uneducated and biased us gays can be as well ...

    Posted by: JP | Feb 8, 2008 11:10:01 PM

    
    

13. The Westboro group also planned to protest the funeral of the missing girl, Brianna Denison, if she was found dead. I live in the Reno area and this group really caused a stir. The irony of (probably) homophobic bikers standing up against the Phelps clan is not lost on me, but it makes me hopeful that hate can band groups of people together to come to some level of tolerance. I'd prefer acceptance, but tolerance is a decent start.

    Posted by: Christopher | Feb 8, 2008 11:30:01 PM

    
    

14. Nice to see people stand up to the phelps freaks. I loved seeing him say the operation failed!

    Posted by: moby | Feb 9, 2008 12:28:26 AM

    
    

15. groups need to start doing this sort of thing in the Us where these right wing nuts live.

    Block their signs, surround them peacefully and crate noise to drown their hateful and crazy calls. Then when it's all over, leave peacefully.

    Phelps said it himself "it's failed"....next!

    Posted by: nic | Feb 9, 2008 1:15:40 AM

    
    

16. More definitive proof that Westboro Baptist does more to advance Gay Rights and Tolerance than the HRC.

    The WBC continues to bring people together to denounce hatred and fear mongering -- especially when it is veiled in a twisted theology.

    Let WBC exercise their First Amendment rights -- they are doing all GLBT a huge service.

    Thanks WBC!

    Posted by: Chapeau | Feb 9, 2008 2:03:14 AM

    
    

17. I agree with chapeau that I think westboro church and phelps are actually doing gay rights a big favor, because their hatred and actions are so obviously ludicrous, they are humiliating themselves and making homophobia look really, really stupid. they are an annoying group, but watching them picket dead soldier's funerals on the basis that god is punishing america because god hates fags has about the same entertainment value as watching britney spears attacking the paparazzi with an umbrella. the real human tragedy involved is actually sad and shouldn't be taken lightly, but that being said...watching it all is like watching a trainwreck, and i cant help but stare. i encountered the group in chicago a few years ago and learned my lesson then, it isn't worth getting riled up over (but god bless those counter-demonstrators). i nearly let them ruin my gay pride weekend! not worth it.
    also...to those of you who are jumping to conclusions, trying to read minds and assuming that the counter-demonstrators must also be homophobes and would surely join phelps in his bigotry if dead soldiers werent involved...you're probably wrong. besides, why look a gift horse in the mouth?

    Posted by: lucas | Feb 9, 2008 12:30:16 PM

    
    

18. Actually lots of bikers are really cool. Love them.

    Posted by: Richard | Feb 9, 2008 1:59:15 PM

    
    

19. "Military people massively hate gay people. Believe me, I know!"

    Dan, that's an insane generalization. My grandfather, uncle and cousin are what you would call "Military People". They are also very deeply religious. They also think Don't Ask Don't Tell is absolutely ridiculous (and are very very vocal about it).

    Posted by: damien | Feb 9, 2008 2:53:13 PM

    
    

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