After an EF4 tornado ravaged parts of southern Illinois, leveling portions of the Saline County town of Harrisburg, Ill., and leaving six people dead, the controversial Westboro Baptist Church has announced plans on their blog that they will protest the funerals of the tornado victims. Why are members of WBC protesting the Illinois deaths?
On Feb. 22, the Illinois House of Representatives passed a bill that would restrict funeral protests within the state and would require protestors (such as Westboro Baptist Church) to adhere to certain guidelines.
According to the Peoria Journal Star, House Bill 3802 was passed one week prior to the tornado that hit Harrisburg. That bill would restrict protestors to a distance of 1,000 feet from a funeral and would limit the times during which protestors would be able to demonstrate before and after the funeral.
The Illinois General Assembly website lists the wording of the bill, and as written, the bill would restrict protestors from being held one hour before and up to one hour after a funeral. The bill prohibits disorderly conduct during these times. Disorderly conduct is described as loud music, singing, chanting, yelling, whistling, or other noises that are meant to disrupt and disrespect the deceased and the family members of the deceased. The bill also prohibits the display of offensive signs during the blocked off time period before and after a funeral.
The bill now goes to the Illinois Senate where it will be voted on and if passed, it will take effect immediately.
Groups have popped up on Facebook from local residents who have determined to counter-protest and block Westboro Baptist Church from disrupting the funerals of the six people who died in the tornado. The counter-protest groups have gained momentum and an outpouring of support from local residents and other citizens outside the local area. Shield of Support and Support Harrisburg have begun organizing residents to block Westboro members from disrupting the funerals, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4.
Locals who have expressed willingness to attend have stated on the two Facebook pages that they will organize to keep Westboro away from the families of tornado victims. Many expressed outrage that the group would come to Harrisburg, but as the WBC blog stated, the group considers the six victims “died for the sins of Illinois,” referring to HB 3802.