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Illinois Protesters Picket Kansas-Based Westboro Baptist Church
LASALLE, Ill. (AP) -- An Illinois veteran who was turned away from a Kansas church known for picketing soldiers' funerals says he hopes to lead future protests against the congregation and perhaps push for legislative measures to stop it.

Jerry Bacidore of LaSalle is a veteran of the Gulf War and the war in Iraq. The former Marine and Army soldier says he and 15 supporters from central Illinois were turned away from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., Sunday.

He picketed outside.

Church members picket at soldiers' funerals and claim the soldiers were killed because the United States is accepting of homosexuality.

Church spokeswoman Shirley Phelps-Roper says Bacidore could have attended if he hadn't publicized his visit in a local newspaper.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
04 26 10 by Newsroom
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