A controversial church in Topeka, Kansas, plans to send parishioners to Pennsylvania to protest the funeral of “Jackass” star Ryan Dunn, the congregation announced in a press release.
Westboro Baptist Church "will picket any public memorial/funeral held for Dunn, warning all not to make a mock of sin, & to fear and obey God!” the release said.
Westboro was started by the Rev. Fred Phelps in 1955. The church's parishioners, made up mostly of Phelps relatives, stage protests with signs that say such things as "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for dead soldiers."
The funeral director for DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home in West Chester said Wednesday afternoon that a family-only private memorial for Dunn was in progress - and there was no problem.
Because it was a private memorial, Joseph DellaVecchia said, he didn't expect any disturbances, although he'd heard of Westboro's plans.
“We can’t stop someone from coming to a public funeral, but this is private, and the police have everything under control,” DellaVecchia said.
A public funeral is planned for later in the week.
“Our department recognizes that we have an ethical and legal imperative to uphold civil rights of those who choose to lawfully assemble to protest but also of family members mourning at a funeral," West Chester Police Chief Scott Bohn said Wednesday.
Dunn was drunk and driving up to 140 mph when his 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 crashed and caught fire on a Pennsylvania highway Monday, police said Wednesday.
The red-bearded Dunn, 34, was famous for his pranks and dangerous stunts on the MTV show, which evolved into a successful film franchise.
Westboro protesters, known for picketing the funerals of U.S. soldiers, have recently been met with counter-protesters at funerals across the nation.
At Arlington National Cemetery in Washington last month, counter-protesters, some claiming to be from the Ku Klux Klan, squared off against Westboro Baptist members.
The Westboro gouls srike again. The compassion this cult shows the dead is beyond belief. This cult hids behind the law to terrioze the griveing familys.
I am sure they have a right to hid behind the police line and behave poorly . In a civilized socitey they would get their #ss kicked and learn not to behave badly.
Is it that hard to turn on spell check dud. huh ... I mean dude.
@Michael: couldn't agree with you more. That would've been too ironic, one dumba ss taking out a whole family of dumbas ses just the thought alone is too funny.
I tell you what, normally I would never even consider such a thing, but when this old, hateful, deluded, selfish, pig-headed, bigot dies, I'm prepared to go to his funeral and picket with a sign that says; "God hates hate."
I feel so sorry for any fool that would follow this clown. Apparently though, the only attendees at his church are his inbred family members. The children associated with this entire family, should be taken away. If indoctrinating these children to spew hate and lies is not child abuse, I don't know what is. Thankfully, the old, hate-filled, windbag has got one foot in the grave. Hopefully, once he's gone, some of his "flock" will no longer have to live in the world of hate and fear they currently do.
Westboro vs KKK... hmm I dunno whom to root for as they are both so dumb. I guess the best ideal would be to hope they both beat each other to death.
I wonder if his passenger said hey slowdown jacka**
Give the white people a cross and bible.. this is what you get!
EVERYONE, PAY ATTENTION !!!
This is what religion does to people.
Just walk away.... Just walk away.......
So by your reasoning if PETA protested the funeral then people should not become a member of their organization?
Or how about a political faction? Just because one specific group of misguided individuals decides to lower themselves to a stature beneath that of rodents, and hide under the guise of religion, doesn't mean all those who are Christians subscribe to their philosophy.
Christ did not teach anything even remotely close to what the members of this church are doing. Christ was a forgiving, all-inclusive person. Read the New Testement and you will learn quite a bit of why Westboro is totally wrong in using religion to further their controversial stance.
Mike, sorry to say Christ was not "a forgiving, all-inclusive person." According to the bible, Christ does not believe in religious tollerance. The bible says he seeks vengence from those who do not believe in him by punishing them with eternal torture in flaming fire. The doesn't sit well with the message of love, peach, and mercy.
I really wish someone would kill all of them.
I agree the whole jacka** crew stuffed in that porsche would have been sweet.
Westboro a$$ho!les. i know people that live in Kansas and they are ashamed of these stupid idiots.
where are they getting their money to send all of these people to these funerals all over the country... ????
They sue people who counter protest. They have lawyers and they video tape the protests. If you are going to counter protest be careful.
Wow. I am also prepared to go protest his funeral when this idiot dies. I will have a sign that says "Burn in Hell!!!."
And I'm and atheist.
A bunch of moron brainwashed religious lunatics vs. some dips*** that decided to get drunk, drive 130+ mph and put a bunch of other people's lives at risk that ended up killing himself.
I don't even know or really care how it all turns out. "A hex on both your houses" so to speak.
Fred ain't no spring chicken. Not many years left there.
... just sayin'.
Be honored if the Westboro Baptists protest against you. It means you're doing something right.
I hope they do protest at the funeral. They will finally get the ass-kicking they deserve!