CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The daughter of Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps has complained to Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster that six church members taking part in protests at the state Capitol and the University of Charleston on Thursday were not adequately protected.
Two men, a woman and three young children from the Topeka, Kan.-based fringe church marched briefly in front of the Statehouse and UC carrying signs proclaiming, among other things, "Thank God for Dead Miners," "God Hates Your Tears" and "God Hates West Virginia."
In a counterdemonstration, about 300 area residents sang songs, carried anti-hate signs, and offered prayers for the miners who died or went missing Monday in the explosion at Upper Big Branch Mine at Montcoal.
The Westboro group got into a car and left the Capitol for a brief picketing session at UC. "We had two protesters and about 100 students," said UC spokeswoman Jennie Ferretti. "Nothing happened."
In an e-mail sent late Thursday to Webster, Westboro Baptist Church member Margie Phelps complained that Charleston police stood by and "let people with violent intentions set upon" the six protesters, "jostling them, kicking them, and even trying to set on fire the hair of one of them."
Phelps, an attorney, said actions by the six pickets were "lawful and peaceful." She added that it is the CPD's "sworn duty to not permit hecklers and violent people stop [the Westboro pickets'] exercise of the right of free speech and religion, just because you or your officers disagree with the religious message of this group."
She added that failure to protect the Westboro pickets' right to free speech would "reflect a knowing and purposeful violation of your constitutional duty. If you fail in this regard, we will hold each of your responsible. You are all put fully on notice hereby."
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The daughter of Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps has complained to Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster that six church members taking part in protests at the state Capitol and the University of Charleston on Thursday were not adequately protected.
Two men, a woman and three young children from the Topeka, Kan.-based fringe church marched briefly in front of the Statehouse and UC carrying signs proclaiming, among other things, "Thank God for Dead Miners," "God Hates Your Tears" and "God Hates West Virginia."
In a counterdemonstration, about 300 area residents sang songs, carried anti-hate signs, and offered prayers for the miners who died or went missing Monday in the explosion at Upper Big Branch Mine at Montcoal.
The Westboro group got into a car and left the Capitol for a brief picketing session at UC. "We had two protesters and about 100 students," said UC spokeswoman Jennie Ferretti. "Nothing happened."
In an e-mail sent late Thursday to Webster, Westboro Baptist Church member Margie Phelps complained that Charleston police stood by and "let people with violent intentions set upon" the six protesters, "jostling them, kicking them, and even trying to set on fire the hair of one of them."
Phelps, an attorney, said actions by the six pickets were "lawful and peaceful." She added that it is the CPD's "sworn duty to not permit hecklers and violent people stop [the Westboro pickets'] exercise of the right of free speech and religion, just because you or your officers disagree with the religious message of this group."
She added that failure to protect the Westboro pickets' right to free speech would "reflect a knowing and purposeful violation of your constitutional duty. If you fail in this regard, we will hold each of your responsible. You are all put fully on notice hereby."
Charleston Mayor Danny Jones said officials reviewed the Police Department's handling of the protest and found no evidence of any harm to the protesters.
"No one's been hurt," said the mayor. "As far as anyone kicking them or trying to set their hair on fire, we don't believe that's true. I think we're providing them with as much protection as they'll receive anywhere in the country, and we'll continue to protect them until they find another city to move on to."
Jones said an offer was made to let the Westboro protesters fill out an incident report, but so far no such report has been filed.
"We will continue to try to provide a buffer between them and other people until they leave," the mayor said. "But if they are threatening us with a lawsuit, we stand poised and ready to respond to it."
The Westboro group plans to picket B'Nai Jacob and Congregation B'Nai Israel synagogues in Charleston on Saturday, and Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral on Sunday.
"My libertarian instincts make me want to protect everyone's rights," said Jones. "But, whew! I hope they leave soon. I feel badly for those kids. To have them raised in an environment like that is sad and scary."
The Westboro group has picketed the funerals of fallen military personnel for years. Members maintain that God intentionally kills soldiers, miners and others because the United States is an immoral country.
Reach Rick Steelhammer at rsteelham...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5169.
