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ORLANDO, Fla. — Westboro Baptist Church, whose members are known for protesting high-profile funerals claiming that God’s wrath brought about the deaths, made a brief appearance in Orlando Saturday morning.
They were met by protesters and police.
Westboro protesters have left the state & no plans to return. Thank you to those who met protest with grace & love. pic.twitter.com/PZJ9F9MB9S
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 18, 2016
A small group of people protesting a funeral were driven away by a larger group of counter-protesters #OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/jgyJdodwpX
— WFTV Channel 9 (@WFTV) June 18, 2016
Officials with the Orlando Police Department confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the group was Florida-bound, citing a letter from the church.
A group called Westboro Counter Protesters had hastily formed to counter any presence Westboro tried to maintain at the upcoming funerals of the Pulse nightclub victims. The Orlando Shakespeare Theater is sponsoring the "Angel Wing Project," and will build large wings to protect funeral attendees from having to witness the Westboro protesters, who often carry offensive, homophobic signs.
Cox Media Group
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