Boy Stomps Flag At Funeral, Mom Arrested

[yogib37 3]

OMAHA, Neb. -- A woman was arrested in Bellevue, Neb., on Tuesday during the funeral for a fallen soldier.

Shirley Phelps-Roper was arrested on suspicion of contributing to the delinquency of a minor for allegedly allowing her 8-year-old son to stomp on an American flag.

Phelps-Roper is a member of a Topeka, Kan., church that conducts anti-homosexual picketing at funeral services for U.S. soldiers.

Hundreds of people packed Bellevue streets Tuesday morning to pay tribute to a firefighter and soldier. Spc. Bill Bailey was serving in the National Guard in Iraq when he was killed by a roadside bomb.

Police said the group to which Phelps-Roper belongs had a permit to protest 300 feet from Bailey's funeral.

Bellevue Officer Joe Gray, who made the arrest, said that at first the group brought out a couple of members' own American flags.

"The arrestee, Ms. Phelps-Roper, put one around her waist. The second one was given to a 10-year-old, who put it on the ground and started kicking it in the area they were protesting," Gray said.

Nebraska law states that it is a Class 3 misdemeanor when a person "intentionally casts contempt or ridicule upon a flag by mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning or trampling upon such flag." The law was passed in 1977.

"It appears the adults weren't stepping on the flag because they knew it was a violation of the law. But they allowed the children to go ahead and do that," Gray said.

Phelps-Roper said she believes she has the right to use the flag as a symbol, and said Nebraska's law is outdated.

"We're going to challenge that statute," she said. "That statue should have been repealed."

Gray said the arrest wasn't personal and has nothing to do with his beliefs. He said he's simply doing his job.

"It's state law, so we were enforcing the laws of Nebraska," the officer said.

Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov said the words from the group are fighting words, which are not protected speech.

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[Saddle Bronc 124]

Only reveals to the very few not already aware of it (ie, those "born yesterday") that Phelps-Roper and cent-percent of WBC are chopfracks!

[MissStacey 1]

Is that the same crazy lady who her and her family are called "the most hated family in America?"

[Ban Hammer 13,110]

Is that the same crazy lady who her and her family are called "the most hated family in America?"

[MissStacey 1]

It is the same one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O228AQRvcqQ

[JoeMama 0]

Anything for attention!

[GaryC 7]

One of these days a greaving family member is going to loose it and stomp one of them.

[sereia 0]

shameful!!!!!!!!

[KarenCee 3]

One of these days a greaving family member is going to loose it and stomp one of them.

I believe in free speech...but this goes beyond the bounds I say. IMHO they deserve something like this to happen to one of them. They are attention seekers of the worst variety and honestly, if everyone could just ignore them...give them NO attention, I wonder what would happen then.

IMHO they take the free speech clause waaaaaaay too far. I wish there was a way to take care of these idiots without someone crying out that their civil rights are being violated, b/c you know someone would.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

CPS should look into taking those kids away from that nut.

[Jamie76 0]

I like that biker group that goes around to these funerals and acts as a buffer between the family and those idiots. I just wish they would put the hurt on the protestors. Is Anais Nin a gold star member of this group by any chance?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

One of these days a greaving family member is going to loose it and stomp one of them.

If I see that I'll help out the grieving family member!

[Heracles 417]

One of these days a greaving family member is going to loose it and stomp one of them.

These idiots need it.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I like that biker group that goes around to these funerals and acts as a buffer between the family and those idiots. I just wish they would put the hurt on the protestors. Is Anais Nin a gold star member of this group by any chance?

I'm not sure A_N's a member of any group other than British (and that only by birth) though this group would certainly fit A_N's temperament.

[Heracles 417]

One of these days a greaving family member is going to loose it and stomp one of them.

If I see that I'll help out the grieving family member!

I like her comment about challenging the statue. How about the ###### try to challenge the back of my hand when it connects with her son's face.

Edited June 7, 2007 by Infidel