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Written on Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at 6:51am by Alan Bedenko | 7 Comments

Sunday in Clarence

Preferably, you’ll be home listening to Hardline with Hardwick than participating in this or this.

The designated protest area, as set up by the town and State Police, is the corner of Clarence Center & Goodrich.


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That corner is over a block away from the Zion Lutheran church itself. Therefore, the town as crafted a time, place & manner restriction on the Phelps group so that memorial service attendees can come and go without ever seeing these monsters. All you have to do is approach on Clarence Center Road from the East, accessing it via Kraus or Strickler Roads, and you never have to see the corner at Goodrich.

If counterprotesters come to town, come and act as a human shield. No showiness, no angels – just a quiet line of people blocking the Phelps monsters from eyeshot. IMHO, the angel thing battles a spectacle with a spectacle.

And if you do decide to come, please read and abide by the instructions listed here.

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7 Comments

  1. Christopher Smith says:
    February 21, 2009 at 12:58 pm

    I know the Westboro Baptist people are miserable lowlifes, but I have trouble swallowing the idea of “designated protest zones”. I don’t have a better idea of how to handle their presence, but I don’t like the idea of the government deciding what can be said and where it can be said. Jus’ sayin’.

  2. Becky says:
    February 21, 2009 at 3:35 pm

    I have a hard time with the main intersection in Clarence Center being the designated protest area. The greater majority of people will be approaching from Goodrich Road (traffic jams prior to the Labor Day parade reinforce that).

    Despite the small article in the News and coverage online, many locals remain clueless about the group and their true nature.

  3. Nick Lanzetta says:
    February 21, 2009 at 7:01 pm

    i fully understand the reasoning and desire to try and deprive these whack jobs of the publicity and attention they seek and thrive on. i think there is also a very special level of FULL-GONZO CRAZY that escalates its efforts when it’s attempts are met with an unsatisfying level of indifference. hopefully, these solemn events can be managed and maintained to the needs and respectful peace of the mourners.

  4. B Smythe says:
    February 21, 2009 at 11:50 pm

    I am originally a Catholic, later turned Baptist, and then finally “set free” from the wicked control of “organized religion”.

    Why don’t the scourge at Westboro Baptist Church {that can find nothing better to do than criticize those who do not adhere to their ignorant, inciteful religious BS} curse God and die? Then they wouldn’t have to deal with all the rest of humanity that is so unacceptable to their “religion”.

    And they claim their God is a God of Love, Peace, and Forgiveness… BS!

  5. Collin M. Flintjer says:
    February 23, 2009 at 7:50 am

    Anyone Christain that rejoices at the Death of another for any reason is not a Christian.

  6. Lady Donna Royce says:
    February 24, 2009 at 2:47 am

    B Smythe,

    Luv! I AGREE WITH EVERY WORD HERE!

    Lady Donna Marie Royce

    “B Smythe on Sat, 21st Feb 2009 11:50 pm ”

    “I am originally a Catholic, later turned Baptist, and then finally “set free” from the wicked control of “organized religion”.”

    “Why don’t the scourge at Westboro Baptist Church {that can find nothing better to do than criticize those who do not adhere to their ignorant, inciteful religious BS} curse God and die? Then they wouldn’t have to deal with all the rest of humanity that is so unacceptable to their “religion”.”

    “And they claim their God is a God of Love, Peace, and Forgiveness… BS!”