Extra security has been ordered at the Pentagon for an upcoming protest by the Westboro Baptist Church.
The Pentagon Force Protection Agency will have additional police officers on hand when the group is in town June 9, Military Times reported Friday.
The notorious church in Topeka, Kansas, is known for attempting to disrupt military funerals throughout the nation with anti-gay, anti-military and anti-Catholic demonstrations.
“If you put the uniform of America today, you’re an enemy of God,” church member Margie Phelps told the Times. “The military today — of this nation — is not fighting for anything righteous. They’re not fighting for freedom. They’re not fighting to protect any kind of civil rights. They’re fighting for sin. And the No. 1 sin that the American military uniform represents today is same-sex marriage.”
The protest will take part in front of the Pentagon Metro entrance, which has been designated for such events.
“As with any protest that takes place, we do have extra officers on duty,” agency spokesman Chris Layman told the Times. “Sometimes protesters will come to be arrested and that’s their purpose. Now Westboro Baptist normally does not, though. They usually follow the permit to a ’T.’ They comply with all the requirements of the permit, do what they need to do and leave. We usually don’t have any issues with them.”
PHOTOS: Elite U.S. Navy SEALs in action
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.