embers of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, announced today that they plan to protest the funeral of a 9-year-old girl murdered during Saturday's shooting rampage in Tucson.
(UPDATE: Westboro Baptist Church agrees to not protest funeral in exchange for radio air time)
In a press release, the group -- made infamous for holding protest rallies at other funerals, including that of Elizabeth Edwards, cancer victim and wife of former presidential candidate John Edwards -- says 9-year-old Christina Green "was killed for your rebellion when God sent the shooter to deal with idolatrous America."
We'll spare you the rest of the group's despicable rant, but anyone interested can read it at www.godhatesfags.com.
Christina was among six murdered in the attack at a Safeway grocery store Saturday morning, where Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was holding a "Congress on Your Corner" event about 10 a.m. Saturday.
Recently elected to her school's student council, she had gone with a family friend to meet her congresswoman when Jared Loughner allegedly opened fire on the crowd, killing six and wounding several others -- including Giffords.
The young girl was born on September 11, 2001, which, her parents say, made her very patriotic for a kid.
When the WBC's held similar events in the past, the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club has rallied and peacefully prevented the group from getting close to funeral processions.
Christina's funeral is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. on Thursday at the Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Tucson. We called Lee Cole, president of the Hells Angels' Phoenix chapter, to see if he plans to assemble his troops to keep the WBC away from the funeral. He didn't immediately get back to us, but check back to Valley Fever later for an update.
Further Reading:
Arizona House Passes Bill Prohibiting Picketing at Funerals.
Eleven Pairs of Crazy Eyes Almost as Haunting as Jared Loughner's
The Face of Crazy: Jared Loughner Eerily Smirks in Photo Taken After Shooting Rampage
Gabrielle Giffords Shooting Wasn't First Arizona Rampage
Gabrielle Giffords Interview With Fox News Filmed Yesterday *VIDEO*
Congresswoman Able to Communicate With Doctors; Second Suspect Sought
Second Suspect Located and Cleared; Federal Complaint Filed Against Jared Loughner
