Texas A&M Students form Human Wall to stop Westboro Baptist Protesters
Students heard that Westboro Baptist Church planned on protesting the funeral of a soldier so they formed a human barricade around the funeral service.
Monday, July 9, 2012
(700 WLW)Texas A&M alum Lt. Col. Roy Tisdale was killed on June 28 during a training exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C. Tisdale was killed by another soldier who then shot himself.
Days after the soldier's death, word spread that Westboro Baptist Church members were planning to protest Tisdale's funeral.
When Ryan Slezia, a former Texas A&M student, heard of the group's plans, he hatched a plot to foil their efforts.
"In response to their signs of hate, we will wear maroon. In response to their mob anger, we will form a line, arm in arm. This is a silent vigil. A manifestation of our solidarity," he wrote on Facebook, inviting others to join him in a peaceful protest.
Listen to Scott Sloan talk to Westboro Baptist Church's Fred Phelps Jr. below:
