Funeral protest in Harrisonville thwarted

Members of the Westboro Baptist Church who planned to disrupt the funeral of Cpl. Jacob Carver in Harrisonville today were met with a large crowd waving flags along the procession route between the Our Lady of Lourdes church and the Orient Cemetery. Recently, those with the Westboro church have made it a point to show up at the funerals of fallen soldiers around the country with signs and bullhorns to send their anti homosexual message to those in attendance. 

Again, as was in Weston Mo. a few weeks ago, WBC was sent a message. A message from many who gathered with intentions to block the WBC from disrupting those who came to pay their respects to Cpl. Carver of Freeman Mo. who died in Afghanistan on November 13th. A Facebook page called Operation Patriot Shield indicated that just over 1,000 people who had seen the page planned to attend today, however estimates are that over 2,000 people showed up despite the blustery cold conditions. Also in attendance were several Kansas City television stations, news helicopters and reporters.

And of those who showed up (some as early as 7 a.m.) to support Operation Patriot Shield, waited quietly and talked amongst themselves while holding flags along the route. There have been many reports that those lined up were quite cordial, even when word came that the Westboro group had arrived and were set up at the corner Elm and Mechanic streets. As seen in the photo at right, the WBC protesters were calmly surrounded and although words were exchanged, no physical violence took place.

photos by Michael Bersin