The U.S. Supreme Court this week ruled in favor of the rights of Westboro Baptist Church members to protest at soldiers’ funerals, reaffirming the protections in the U.S. Constitution for free speech.
But, that doesn’t mean the soldier’s family must listen to the repugnant speech or view the extremist language on the picket signs. 900 bikers from around the country are making sure they don’t have to.
The Patriot Guard Riders, many of them former veterans, protect funeral-goers from the hurtful speech by creating a ‘wall’ of American flags and soaring patriotic music to shield families from the protest.
Since the high court ruling, new members are rushing to join the Patriot Guard Riders, a charitable organization formed in Kansas in 2005, after bikers belonging to the American Legion first heard about the Westboro Baptist protests and decided to take action.
The group doesn’t confront the protestors at all. Instead, they shield the family from the brunt of the abuse.
(WATCH the video below)
I’m glad to see this. 🙂
What the WBC dose is utterly deplorable, but free speech [i]is[/i] free speech. If you want to fight back you must use your own free speech to do so; exactly as these folks are. Good work!