A somber Memorial Day 2011 at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia was interrupted by an unlikely pairing of protestors against one another, reports CNN. Just a few hours before Obama was to lead nationwide observances at the Tomb of the Unknowns, members of the Westboro Baptist Church and Ku Klux Klan traded words of turmoil and caution. Luckily, the day was not sullied by physical violence and arrests, only hateful comments.
Being anti-gay gets the Westboro Baptists hated by the KKK
Lots of attention has been brought to Topeka, Kan., because of the Westboro Baptist Church. This comes because of their U.S. military and homosexual protests. Church members end up protesting outside military funerals with anti-gay signs saying the soldiers will go to hell with the help of Pastor Fred Phelps and his daughter Abigail.
Such sentiment did not sit well with a group of 10 people at Arlington who claimed to represent a group called Knights of the Southern Cross (aka Soldiers of the Ku Klux Klan), however. There was a banner that said "POW-MIA" being held up by the KKK that was near the Westboro Baptists. The Ku Klux Klan group also had American flags and tried to drown out the Westboro Baptists' protests.
According to Imperial Wizard Dennis LaBonte, who was present at the demonstration, the Ku Klux Klan 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.
White power in scriptures not seen
Abigail Phelps told CNN that the Westboro Baptists acknowledge no moral authority in the Ku Klux Klan, as in her church’s view, the Bible makes no references to white power or Caucasian supremacy. LaBonte and other suggest the Ku Klux Klan is only there to look after the white race. It is not about being racist or hateful. 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").
Paying for freedom isn't cheap
As long as the Westboro Baptists stay a certain distance from military funerals, they’re allowed to protest under the First Amendment protection, according to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Much the same is true of the Ku Klux Klan and their Caucasian power demonstrations. Organizations can do whatever demonstrations they want as long as they don't violate any laws or become violent.
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
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