As printed in this week's Independent Herald:
Dear Scott County citizens:
I would like to respectfully inform and request the assistance of Scott County citizens relating to the possible protest from the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) that will take place on Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, at Scott High Drive.
Scott County has not experienced a protest in many years in our county, to my understanding. I want to start by saying that we are not the only county to have protests done on subjects like the WBC message, tax protests, and even protests like the KKK. We are now just one county of many to experience these types of events. It is very important that we as Scott County citizens understand several things about these protests. To start with, every person in the United States has the right to hold a protest against any subject they wish to protest. This group, the WBC, does have the legal right to be here or any other location to protest. This does not mean that I agree or you agree with their message, but they have the right to speak their beliefs or messages.
I want all citizens to understand that violence against these groups can result in criminal charges or personal civil liabilities. For example: If anyone in this county who is a public official tried to stop or did stop a protest, that person would violate their constitutional rights and be subject to civil liabilities. There is not an official in this county or any other county that can legally keep an event like this from taking place. If anyone, including citizens, did any criminal act of violence against these groups of people or their property, they would be subject to criminal charges and civil liabilities as well. It is very important that no one do any acts of violence to any member of any group if they attend this protest or any other future protest. If any member of any protest party were to demonstrate violence, then please understand that they will be arrested and there is a possibility that civil liabilities may be placed on the assaulting party. This group, the WBC, has sent a letter to me stating they will not violate any laws while in our county and they wish to come and leave in peace after their demonstration. They also have ensured that they will have professional skilled photographers and video recorders at their rallies. All citizens must understand that video will be used not only by the WBC, but the law enforcement will video also to ensure everyone's safety. Once again, if you attend this rally, please do not commit any criminal acts or acts of violence against any party there, because I would hate to see one of our citizens arrested or have civil liabilities placed on them.
As sheriff of Scott County, I want to ensure the public that my administration will do everything possible to plan a safe demonstration if it were to occur. have worked many of these protests while being a state trooper with the Tennessee Highway Patrol. I have worked protests like the KKK rallies, tax protests and protests against areas such as Y-12. I have a lot of experience in this area. I will set this event up just like it needs to be set up to assure the most safety to everyone present.
I want to know respectfully request this of Scott County citizens and groups of individuals who may wish to attend: I can not tell you that you can not come to this protest, but I would like to respectfully ask you to please not make your presence. I have found that if groups don't attend events like this, then they most all times end faster and less people get hurt, arrested or incur civil liabilities. Please remember that it is just as much your right to be at this event as it is their right to hold this protest, but I strongly suggest you to not put yourself in any situation by attending to get yourself in any negative situation. A wise man once told me that if someone speaks and no one listens, then the person speaking will have less to say and may not stay as long. So the moral of the story is please consider not attending this event. I don't want anyone to get into any trouble or have an incident happen to cause negative publicity for Scott County over this protest. Let people come and go after speaking their message. This does not mean we have to agree. If we always turn the better cheek, then that makes Scott County professional and honorable.
May God bless the families that lost loved ones and remember: Scott County will make it through these tough times because we are a good, close community that believes in the right thing and we help each other in rough difficult times.
