4 SHS Cheerleaders & 2 Others Killed in Car Crash

[Hypatia]

According to the Independent Herald:

Web exclusive
October 30, 2008

A controversial Kansas-based religious group says it plans to picket the funerals of the six people killed in Friday's accident.

Westboro Baptist Church issued a news release Tuesday afternoon saying that it plans to picket the funerals of four Scott High Cheerleaders, which are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday (Ashley Mason), Thursday (Nikki Hughett) and Friday (Aleasha and Jamie Hill).

The church's pastor, Fred Phelps, preaches that God hates America for accepting homosexuality. Phelps and his church's followers frequently picket the funerals of American servicemen who are killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, holding signs and shouting slogans at attendees of the funeral. The group is protected by federal statutes that permit peaceful protests.

The church's actions are highly controversial, and are routinely condemned by the various denominations of Christianity. The church is often described as a "hate group."

In a press release faxed to media outlets Tuesday, the group stated, "God hates Tennessee . . . Beware of evil Tennessee and the curse of God. These six people died for Tennessee's sins. Worse is coming upon persecutors of God's servants."

I hesitate to give this group any publicity, as that's clearly what they're after, but in the interest of preparing the community for what we are potentially facing if this group comes to Huntsville --click here to view their Wikipedia entry. It gives background on the group and some of their high profile protests, like the one in West Virginia when the coal miners were killed in the Sago Mine. If the signs they held outside of those funerals are any indication, we best prepare ourselves.

If this group is to protest, how will our community react? How should our community react?

[beach bum]

Satan will try to make things worse for people,so we as Christains need to pray that all these people will have car trouble. The Lord can do all things,so Ipray he will because these poor people has had enough.

[Metal_Momma]

what the hell do cheerleaders have to do with gay people? or coal miners or soldiers for that matter..
that disgusts me.
if those radicals do intend on coming to protest, is there anything local law enforcement could do to keep them at bay?
the families have been through enough without adding to the pile.

[Hypatia]

Sadly, I'm not sure there's anything law enforcement can do as long as they're peaceful, and they keep their distance. I hope I'm wrong. Wikipedia discusses some of the measures people have taken against them in the past.

[AbNormal]

This is an outrage. I really hope this doesn't overshadow the funerals...This is just crazy. We can't let them do this...Not in our community...

[indygirl]

This is an outrage. I really hope this doesn't overshadow the funerals...This is just crazy. We can't let them do this...Not in our community...

I hope and pray that they do not come here but if they do we need to put them back on the road as fast and as they get here these family and kids in our community sure do not need crazy people like that here this week

[Miss Insanity]

Hmmmmm... I have a feeling that this could turn ugly and real fast.

I hope these "haters" have enough sense to stay away!

[donsbabe]

WOW...I had never heard of these fruit cakes (I know, I should get my head out of the sand).

Are they crazy enough to come to a county that has more churches than people to fill them, and claim this tragedy was in any way the result of God hating us? Here ??? In Scott County ?????

I can only suppose it is their goal to roam around the country and torture people who are already hurting in hopes of starting their own "holy war"

[Miss Insanity]

Sounds to me like they are on a suicide mission!! They are going to cross the wrong people one day.. maybe sooner than they think.

[Darwin]

Here's the press release they faxed, as found on their website.