Ebert funeral protest planned: Westboro Baptist Church threatened appearance (Photos)
The Westboro Baptist Church planned a Roger Ebert funeral protest for Monday, sources indicate. The iconic movie critic was laid to rest Monday morning and mourners lined up around the block to say goodbye.The Hollywood Reporter shared the details of the WBC plans that did not slow down the public from mourning the loss of Ebert.
The WBC is famous for protesting, or threatening to protest, many funerals. The group took particular offense to Roger Ebert, it seems, for his support of the gay community and his distaste for the Westboro Baptist Church and their homophobic stances. Westboro planned to picked the funeral at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago between 9:15-10 a.m. Monday morning.
Roger Ebert's wife Chaz mourns at his funeral
Photo credit:
Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
The Westboro Baptist Church has also threatened or shown up to protest at other funerals including those for the victims in the Gabrielle Giffords shooting, the victims of Sandy Hook in Newtown, Elizabeth Edwards and Steve Jobs. The group has made a name for itself by protesting the funerals of dead soldiers as well. They often do not end up showing up these days, but people in the areas they target tend to prepare themselves anyway.
Despite the Ebert funeral protest plans, the Chicago Tribune shares that Roger Ebert's family and friends were able to mourn their loss seemingly without incident. There were plenty of supporters outside the church when the doors opened at 9 a.m., and there was a standing ovation inside the church. Roger's wife Chaz Ebert said, “He had a heart big enough to accept and love all.”
Chaz Ebert added that he would have loved the majesty of the service, and she added that her heart was full. Chaz also talked about how her husband was a “soldier for social justice... it didn't matter to him our race, creed, color, level of ability, sexual orientation.” It seems clear that there was no room for an Ebert funeral protest as those who loved Roger Ebert gathered to mourn.
In actuality, it seems the Westboro Baptist Church ended up not heading to Chicago, as they are in Atlanta for the NCAA game instead. While that is unfortunate for Atlanta, it is a good thing for the Ebert family and fans.
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