Guarding Arlington from the Westboro Baptists on Memorial Day was carried out by the KKK

A somber Memorial Day 2011 at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia was disrupted by an unlikely group of protestors against one another, reports CNN. Hours before the president began his yearly address from the Tomb of the Unknowns, members of the Ku Klux Klan and Westboro Baptist Church challenged each other. Fortunately, the day was not sullied by assault and arrests, only hateful comments.

Ku Klux Klan object to Westboro anti-gay protests

The angry demonstrations against homosexuality and the U.S. Military from the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., have gotten lots of attention. Church members end up protesting outside military funerals with anti-gay signs saying the soldiers will go to hell with the help of Pastor Fred Phelps and his daughter Abigail.

A group of 10 individuals at Arlington in representation of the Knights of the Southern Cross, or Soldiers of the Ku Klux Klan, don't like the Baptists though. A group of Ku Klux Klan members gathered near the Westboro Baptists and tried to drown them out with American flags and a banner that read "POW-MIA" for all who could see it.

According to Imperial Wizard Dennis LaBonte, who was present at the demonstration, the KKK was assembled to protest Fred Phelps’ anti-troop message.

“It’s the soldier that fought and died and gave them that right to free speech,” said LaBonte.

Scriptures not about white power

CNN spoke with Abigail Phelps who said that since there is no reference to white power in the Bible, the Westboro Baptists recognize no authority in the Ku Klux Klan. Individuals like LaBonte maintain they are neither racist nor hate-mongers, but caretakers of the Caucasian race. In the meantime, the Westboro Baptists cling to their war against homosexuality and the U.S. military complex (illustrated by hateful slogans like "God hates fags" and "Thank God for dead soldiers").

What freedom costs

There was a United States Supreme Court ruling that allowed the Westboro Baptists to protest at military funerals with First Amendment protections. They do have to stay a distance away though. The Ku Klux Klan has the same rules to follow. So long as assault or direct violations of the law are not involved, such groups can protest as often as they like.

Citations

Arlington National Cemetery

arlingtoncemetery.mil/

CNN

cnn.com/2011/US/05/30/arlington.cemetery.protesters/index.html

New York Daily News

nydn.us/mK3Aku