The Westboro Baptist Church vowed to protest today’s funeral of Boston Marathon Bombing victim Krystle Campbell, so hundreds of members of the Teamsters Union showed up to protect mourners and block the Westboro members from the sight of Campbell’s friends and family.
“When a funeral director announced late this morning that the building was filled to capacity, at least 200 people, some carrying flowers, were still in line,” the Boston Globe today reports:
Meanwhile, hundreds more were across the street, among them more than 200 union members, organized by Teamsters Local 25, to form a human shield against a protest that never materialized from the Westboro Baptist Church.
…
The union members began gathering before 8 a.m. today, promising to block protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church if they picketed.
Sean O’Brien, president and principal officer of Teamster’s local, said the community reached out to the Teamsters Sunday “because they know how influential we are.â€
“It’s the right thing to do,†O’Brien said of the decision to protect the funeral. “The family deserves a peaceful grieving process that’s free from any coward-led group.â€
O’Brien said the Teamsters mobilized their members and other unions through Twitter and Facebook yesterday. He added that about 350 Teamsters were expected this morning, “and we can get 1,000 if we need them.â€
The Kansas church is a fringe religious organization whose members stage protests at high-profile funeral services to draw attention to their views. No church members appeared.
The Westboro Baptist Church, a certified anti-gay hate group who call themselves God Hates Fags, travel the country picketing the funerals of gay people, military service members, those in the news, and celebrities to spread their message of hate and homophobia.
Teamsters Block Westboro Baptist Church From Protesting Boston Victim Funeral
Storified by David Badash· Mon, Apr 22 2013 11:19:37
Image, top, by Anderson Chang