Westboro Baptist Church plans demonstration in DuPont

A planned demonstration by the Westboro Baptist Church is scheduled to take place in DuPont on Friday, July 27 at the intersection of Barksdale Avenue and Steilacoom-DuPont Road between 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

DuPont’s Police Chief, Ron Goodpaster, informed council members and residents about the demonstration during the July 24 council meeting. Both the audience and council members were visibly upset over the announcement.

The reason for the demonstration was not clearly identified. The church’s website states that they will picket Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and further reads, “When you goofy, unthankful, flag-worshipping fools decided that you would declare war against the Lord and against His anointed, you put yourselves in the cross-hairs of a raging mad God. We will come to tell you a few things, to wit.”  The statement goes on to point out scripture and their interpretation of particular bible passages.

Chief Goodpaster said officers were in the process of notifying residents and businesses in the area and asked that the public keep out of harms way and not be in that area for the thirty minutes the demonstration is scheduled.

“We’re hearing about significant counter demonstrations, and our officers will be working with five other agencies to assist us,” he said.

The police chief said the demonstrator’s had a tight schedule to keep.

“They have events to attend in Seattle later that day. We expect them to be out of DuPont at 12:15 p.m.”

The chief added, “If you don’t have to be at that intersection on Friday, then don’t be.”

Here is a copy of a flyer about the demonstration issued by the DuPont Police Department.