BonnerSprings.com

Thursday’s funeral at Bonner Springs United Methodist Church for Mark “Tony” Holmes drew at least 200 people and a few unwanted visitors.

Those “visitors,” from Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, kept to the easement off Morse Street, holding signs preaching hate for the United States and those who mourned the 18-year-old who died in a car accident last Friday.

Outnumbering the three Westboro protesters were a couple Patriot Guard members standing on the grass between the church parking lot and Morse, and two women who stood about 20 feet from the protesters on the sidewalk, holding signs quoting Bible verses: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you,” and “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

The counter-protesters shared an umbrella under the drizzling rain while one held a baby. One said they didn’t want their names printed in the newspaper.

“This is all about Tony,” said one of the women.

Three Bonner Springs police officers in raincoats also stood by on Morse to ensure no ugly altercations arose with the Westboro protesters.

The Patriot Guard members gave their names as Wizard and Becky Boop.

The Patriot Guard, which is dedicated to shielding the families at veterans’ funerals from the hateful messages of Fred Phelps’ ilk, is an anonymous organization, and members use their “riding names,” Wizard said.

Wizard, who said he was from Bonner Springs and a neighbor of Tony Holmes' family, said he and Becky Boop didn’t come in their capacity as Patriot Guards, but because they were friends of the family.

As Wizard spoke a car drove by on Morse and a young passenger yelled at the Westboro protesters, “Go f*** yourself!” and showed them his middle finger.

Becky Boop said the Westboro church was now regularly attending the funerals of people who die in car wrecks, which adds to the two categories of funerals they’re known for attending: those for soldiers who died in Iraq, and those for homosexuals.

"The sad thing is, a lot of us fought for their right to do this," Wizard said. "But we have the right to stand here."

Wizard said the Patriot Guard protocol was to not interact with the Topeka church members at their funeral protests.

Brad Wheeler, youth minister for Bonner Springs United Methodist Church, said he agreed with that strategy, and that this was the first time he knew of that the Topeka church members had demonstrated in Bonner Springs.

Wheeler pointed out the church sign, which said, “God is Love,” which stood about 100 feet from where the Topeka demonstrators held their signs preaching divine hatred.

“We changed that especially for today,” Wheeler said.

A half-hour after they came, and just before the funeral was to begin, the Westboro protesters took their signs down, walked quietly to a minivan a block away and drove off.

The counter-protesters then returned a couple of coats lent to them by someone in the house behind them and left.

Holmes' funeral took place on the same day Kansas Gov. Sebelius signed a law banning protests from being within 150 feet of a funeral for one hour before, during, and two hours after the service. SB 226 will also make it unlawful to block a public street or sidewalk. Violators will be subject to fines and six months in jail. The bill goes into effect April 10.

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1. 7 April 2008 at 4:25 p.m.

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   kent (Anonymous) says…

   Everyone gives freaky Freddy and his cronies too much time and attention. What a waste of ink, electronic space, and air time on someone who likely has much to hide in his own life. It is my opinion and history shows us that many of those who spend so much of their time being an extremist for any cause, have something to hide. And often it is their own personal interaction in the very acts that they are fighting against. Do the recent actions of the late governor of New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer ring a bell? How about the 2006 fall of mega church leader of the Colorado Springs's New Life Church, pastor Ted Haggard who fell into the very things he preached against…drugs and homosexuality? We could do this all day…but I think you get the point. As an adult, we can all choose how we think and feel about people like Fred and his followers…it is the children I pray for. The children that are in his direct circles are brainwashed into his immoral and hateful way of thinking. May the children that only get the momentary brush of his wickedness on the streets where his leaves his stench, see a better way and lead a life of understanding and forgiveness, and show human compassion to all of earths inhabitants regardless of their lifestyle choices, race, economic status or beliefs.

   Fred. It's only a matter of time.

2. 10 April 2008 at 9:31 a.m.

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   bonnerdonner (Anonymous) says…

   Well Fred is a Democrat. What do you expect.

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