Facebook page highlights Westboro Church at Powell funeral

The Westboro Baptist Church has announced its intention to protest at the funeral for the murdered Powell boys because of Washington State's vote on gay marriage.

The Westboro Church says it expects to be in attendance when the Powell children are laid to rest on Saturday in Tacoma, Washington. Margie Phelps, daughter of the church's founder tweeted today.

“Westboro will picket the funerals of the Powell boys, Sat.,2/11, 12:15p, to remind @GovGregoire they died because of her rebellion,” and “This is why God's cursed you w Josh Powells blowing up kids.”

The reference to Gov. Gregoire is intended to rebuke the sitting governor of the state prior to her signing legislation legalizing gay marriage. The bill to remove the ban on gays marrying was passed through both houses of the legislature, with the Washington State House approving the measure on Wednesday February 8.

In a statement hailing the passage of the bill, Gov. Gregoire said, "Our legislators showed courage, respect, and professionalism. I look forward to signing this piece of legislation, and putting into law an end to an era of discrimination.”

Charlie and Braden Powell, seven and five years old respectively, died after being hacked with an axe by their father prior to him intentionally setting fire to his home, killing all three of them.

A Facebook page was created called "Keep Westboro Church away from Powell Memorial." It asks those inclined to attend the funeral to come out in numbers that would prevent the Westboro Church from getting near the family of the dead boys.

The church is widely known as the organization that protests at military funerals. The members seek to highlight the beliefs of the small congregation based in Topeka, Kansas that the United States brings misfortune upon itself for its refusal to scorn gays, Jews and others.

Late last year, one military family's civil lawsuit was turned aside by the U.S. Supreme Court on First Amendment grounds. The opinion was penned by Chief Justice Roberts who wrote in part:

"As a nation we have chosen...to protect even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate. That choice requires that we shield Westboro from tort liability for its picketing in this case."

The family of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder sought damages for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Read that story, here.

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