Westboro Baptist Church: Difference between revisions
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===Actions by opponents=== | ===Actions by opponents=== | ||
During a picket in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaford,_Delaware Seaford, Delaware] on May 21, 2006, one person broke through police lines and assaulted WBC members who fled into a police van. Five people faced criminal charges. | During a picket in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaford,_Delaware Seaford, Delaware] on May 21, 2006, one person broke through police lines and assaulted WBC members who fled into a police van. Five people faced criminal charges. | ||
Early in the morning of August 2, 2008, someone set fire to a garage near the Westboro Baptist Church, causing an estimated $10,000 in damages. | Early in the morning of August 2, 2008, someone set fire to a garage near the Westboro Baptist Church, causing an estimated $10,000 in damages. | ||
On November 30, 2010, disabled Army veteran Ryan Newell was arrested in his parked SUV outside the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wichita,_Kansas Wichita, Kansas], city hall while members of WBC were in a meeting inside. Guns and ammunition were found in the back of the SUV, and Newell was charged with weapons violations and felony conspiracy to commit aggravated battery. On June 23, 2011, Newell pled guilty to impersonating a law enforcement officer and was sentenced to two years of probation. Newell received public support for his actions, and fundraisers and websites were created by the public to help in his defense. | |||
===Patriot Guard Riders=== | ===Patriot Guard Riders=== | ||
The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Guard_Riders Patriot Guard Riders] is a motorcyclist group composed mostly of veterans who attend the funerals of members of the U.S. Armed Forces at the invitation of the deceased's family. The group was initially formed to shelter and protect the funerals from protesters from the WBC.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-173">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church#cite_note-173 [173]]</sup> | The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Guard_Riders Patriot Guard Riders] is a motorcyclist group composed mostly of veterans who attend the funerals of members of the U.S. Armed Forces at the invitation of the deceased's family. The group was initially formed to shelter and protect the funerals from protesters from the WBC.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-173">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church#cite_note-173 [173]]</sup> | ||