Arlington Cemetery Memorial Day protest of Westboro Baptists protested by the KKK

A sorrowful Memorial Day 2011 at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia was disrupted by an unlikely pairing of counter-protesters, states CNN. Just a couple hours before President Obama was to lead nationwide observances at the Tomb of the Unknowns, participants in the Westboro Baptist Church and Ku Klux Klan exchanged words of conflict and caution. No incidents of violence or arrests were reported.

KKK object to Westboro anti-gay protests

The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., has stolen national attention with its angry demonstrations against the homosexual community and the United States military’s supposed connection. Under the direction of Pastor Fred Phelps and his daughter Abigail, church members parade outside military funerals, sporting anti-gay signs that condemn the souls of dead soldiers to hell.

A group of 10 individuals at Arlington in representation of the Knights of the Southern Cross, or Soldiers of the Ku Klux Klan, do not like the Baptists though. A group of Ku Klux Klan members gathered near the Westboro Baptists and tried to drown them out with American flags and a banner that read "POW-MIA" for all who could see it.

According to Imperial Wizard Dennis LaBonte, who was present at the demonstration, the KKK was assembled to protest Fred Phelps’ anti-troop message.

“It’s the soldier that fought and died and gave them that right to free speech,” said LaBonte.

No Caucasian power in scripture

CNN spoke with Abigail Phelps who said that since there is no reference to white power in the Bible, the Westboro Baptists recognize no authority in the KKK. Those for the KKK for instance LaBonte say that they are just taking care of the Caucasian race rather than being racist. Meanwhile, the Westboro Baptists cling to their war against homosexuality and the United States military complex (illustrated by hateful slogans like "God hates fags" and "Thank God for dead soldiers").

The price of freedom

There was a United States Supreme Court ruling that allowed the Westboro Baptists to protest at military funerals with First Amendment protections. They do have to stay a distance away though. The Ku Klux Klan has the same rules to follow. So long as physical violence or direct violations of the law are not involved, such organizations can protest as often as they like.

Articles cited

Arlington National Cemetery

arlingtoncemetery.mil/

CNN

cnn.com/2011/US/05/30/arlington.cemetery.protesters/index.html

New York Daily News

nydn.us/mK3Aku