Church plans teen funeral protests
By Bryan Schutt, Times Staff Writer Tuesday, April 08, 2008
The family and friends of two teenagers who died in a car accident over the weekend are puzzled as to why a fundamentalist church group plans to demonstrate at the teens' funerals.
Tracey Burke, whose daughter Emily died in the crash near Finksburg late Saturday night, said she doesn't understand the logic of Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro Baptist Church unless its members, "are just people of hate."
"It makes no sense," Burke said. "I can't believe they'd choose to [demonstrate at] the funeral of a child."
Julio Calderon, whose brother Rodolfo Calderon also died in the crash, said he was stunned to find out about the picketing.
"I don't know why people want to interfere with our moment of privacy and grief," he said.
According to a release from the Westboro Baptist Church, tragedies are happening in Maryland because the state is persecuting the organization, and their demonstration is based on their belief that "God hates Maryland."
Shirley Phelps-Roper, the daughter of Westboro Baptist Church leader the Rev. Fred W. Phelps Sr., said the teens died because God put a curse on Maryland.
"Maryland is a state of rebels with no cause," Shirley Phelps-Roper said Monday.
Maryland State Police said they are looking into Westboro Baptist's decision to attend the funeral and deciding what, if anything, they can do.
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Saturday night, Emily Burke, 15, of Sykesville and Rodolfo Calderon, 14, of Finksburg died after the minivan they were riding in struck a tree near Finksburg. Emily's brother, Paul Burke, 17, and Alison Hird, 15, of Sykesville were also injured during the crash and both were flown to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore following the accident.
Paul Burke was released on Sunday.
State police were continuing to investigate the cause of the accident Monday evening. Police say there was no immediate indication of alcohol or drug use, but it is possible the driver fell asleep at the wheel.
Jeff Atkinson of Eldersburg, a family friend of the Burkes, said he was extremely angry to hear about the church planning to demonstrate at the funerals.
"They're nut-jobs who I wouldn't even consider a Christian entity," Atkinson said. "Why disrupt this family's mourning?"
He said the family did nothing wrong and he said he believed the church group had no reasonable cause to attending the funeral other than to draw attention to themselves.
In March 2006, the group demonstrated in Westminster at the funeral of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder of Westminster. Phelps-Roper said the organization stood lawfully and peacefully aside from the Mass and no one went into the church, but they were still persecuted by the state of Maryland.
Last November, a jury found that the church intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon Matthew Snyder's father, Albert Snyder of York, Pa. and awarded him $10.9 million. The award was recently reduced to $5 million.
Last week, a federal judge issued liens against the church and ordered two of its members to post cash bonds while they appeal the $5 million judgment resulting from the church's protest at Snyder's funeral. The church has filed a motion to stay the verdict.
The liens mean that no new mortgages can be taken out on the properties and no money can be borrowed against the equity in them.
Regardless of what happens with the church group, both the Calderon family and the Burke family said they appreciate the community's help through this trying time.
Tracey Burke said the family has been overwhelmed with support from the community. She said friends, church members and Liberty High School faculty have been more than helpful.
Both Liberty and Westminster High School provided counseling for any students dealing with the grief from the loss. Principal Dwayne Piper of Liberty High School and Principal John Seaman of Westminster High School said it was a tough day for the schools, but they tried to provide support while still proceeding with the school day somewhat normally.
"We're so much better for [their support]," Burke said. "We thank everyone for their prayers and support; they've made [this time] more manageable."
This year, there have been four fatal crashes in Carroll County. The crashes resulted in five deaths, three of which were teens.
Reach staff writer Bryan Schutt at 410-857-7886 or
bryan.schutt@carrollcountytimes.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
idiots to the *nth degree
