Politics & Government

Westboro Baptist Church Set to Protest Saturday at Sgt. Donna Johnson's Funeral

Anti-protestors can take part in "A Human Wall for Fallen Soldiers", an organized group whose goal is to assemble enough people to shield the family from protesters.

Westboro Baptist Church will be protesting SGT Donna Johnson's funeral at 10:15am Saturday Oct 13th at the Raeford Presbyterian Church, 128 Edinborough Ave in Raeford.

The group was reported to be picketing the three military funerals in North Carolina according to a WCNC news report. The group connects the deaths of soldiers to America's acceptance of gays.

Army Sgt. Donna R. Johnson
Died October 1, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom
29, of Raeford, N.C.; assigned to 514th Military Police Company, 60th Troop Command, Winterville, N.C.; died Oct.1, in Khost, Afghanistan, of injuries caused by a suicide bomber. She has served our nation for 6 yrs. This was her third deployment. She leaves behind her wife, Tracy.

According to Johnson's sister in a LGBTPOV report, they had been together for years, before the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was repealed. Johnson’s family says she shouldn’t be judged by her sexual orientation.

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An outcry of support via local Facebook pages has swept the Fort Bragg and Fayetteville area as many plan to gather alongside Patriot Guard Riders to 'protect' the family during the military funeral. There is a Facebook page established to 'Join' against this protest.

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