Westboro Baptist to picket fallen Marine's funeral | News

ASHFORD, AL (WSFA) - The Westboro Baptist Church out of Topeka, Kansas has declared its intentions to picket the funeral of fallen Alabama Marine, Lance Cpl. Jason Barfield.

A release on the group's website states:

"Military funerals have become pagan orgies of idolatrous blasphemy, where they pray to the dunghill gods of Sodom & play taps to a fallen fool."

They say they will preach this message "in respectful, lawful proximity to the memorials of Doomed America's fallen soldiers," and they list the date and location of Barfield's funeral.

Barfield is scheduled to be laid to rest on Saturday, November 5 with a memorial planned for 11:00 a.m. (protest listed as beginning at 10:15 a.m.) at Ashford High School at 607 Church Street, Ashford, AL.

The release on the website ends with the sentence, "Thank God for IEDs."

No word yet on if a counter-protest will be planned.

A spokesperson with the Houston County Sheriff's Office says authorities are aware of the group's intent and they will be prepared for any situation that may occur.

Ashford Police Chief Jim Stanley says the group must have a permit to assemble and Ashford PD has not received any such request from WBC. If they were to request a permit it would be denied due to the limited resources of the Ashford Police Department to provide security. Stanley also added that Ashford does have plans to address the issue should it be necessary.