by Natasha Puryear
Member since:
April 11, 2011

Texas A&M's Maroon Wall Blocks Westboro Baptist Church Protest

July 06, 2012 09:51 PM UTC
9 people recommend this | comments: 22

Texas A&M fans have more to be proud of than just their induction into the SEC this week. On Thursday, 650 students and alumni stood arm in arm in front of the Central Baptist Church in College Station to create a maroon wall, blocking the family of a fallen soldier from the hurtful protests of the Westboro Baptist Church. The family of Lt. Col. Roy Tisdale did not have to see the hate-filled group or hear about the hateful things they think of soldiers. The students and alumni stood in silence in respect for Tisdale and his family.

A call went out early in the week on Facebook for students and alumni to wear maroon and show up at the church on Thursday after rumors swirled that WBC planned to picket the funeral of the class of 1993 soldier. The maroon wall should cause fans pride to swell. Lt. Col. Tisdale had 650 12th men standing for him on Thursday. After the service at the Central Baptist Church, Tisdale was laid to rest at the Aggie Field of Honor. The military school showed its support Thursday in enough force to keep Westboro Baptist Church far from the funeral. It is not surprising that Aggies would stand up to the protest of the so-called church seeing as how many alumni end up serving this country in one of the five armed forces.

No soldier's family should ever have to fear the protests of Westboro Baptist Church, and Texas A&M students insured the Tisdales did not have to see the hateful messages. Hopefully the students continue to stand up for soldiers from the area. The maroon wall is not just something to be feared on the football field but also when you choose to protest a fallen hero.

Comments: 22

Juan J Martinez Jul 6, 2012, 10:06pm UTC
Hurray for them.
Rory M. Jul 6, 2012, 11:09pm UTC
Three cheers for Texas A&M!
les f. Jul 6, 2012, 11:15pm UTC
Excellent, well done.
juli henry Jul 6, 2012, 11:17pm UTC
Record breaking high tempatures and still those people can think of nothing better to do than drag themselves and their children out in the heat and be nasty to people. Good for A&M!
Kerrell Goolsby Jul 6, 2012, 11:35pm UTC
GIG EM AGGIES!!!!!!
Steve !!!! Jul 6, 2012, 11:52pm UTC
Can't cheer for their team, but I would be proud to stand with their student body and alum in a situation like this.
If WBC is not guilty of hate crimes (harrassment? - intentional infliction of pain?), I do not know who is.
George Vreeland Hill . Jul 7, 2012, 12:16am UTC
WBC is of the devil.
They are not of the word of God.
The Bible does not preach hate.
Renee Nal Jul 7, 2012, 12:46am UTC
They are terrible, George and of course they do not represent Christians.
Matt Suttles Jul 7, 2012, 3:45am UTC
The bible preaches both love and hate, it just depends on which parts you choose to take seriously. Fred Phelps and his followers chose to focus on the old testament god's condemnation of homosexuality while ignoring the parts where Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself and do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Renee Nal Jul 7, 2012, 12:45am UTC
This story gave me goosebumps, thank you!
Sandra T. Jul 7, 2012, 1:26am UTC
Very nice story! Wish it would happen more often
Heather - child of God, C. Jul 7, 2012, 3:12am UTC
I really think what the WBC is so very wrong... They judge and condemn others and cause the mourners pain..... I'd hate to be them on Judgment Day... though... for judging others, they place themselves back under judgment... that is one reason Jesus said not to Judge others..

Matthew 7:1-2 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Betty S. Jul 7, 2012, 11:34am UTC
Amen, Heather..
Very good words Heather. I'm sure they have turned most everyone that sees them into anger & ... if anything... away from God.
They are members of our state and we are oh so not proud :(

But then I think of all the Christians and those that call themselves Christians in the US, and thankfully, they pretty much stand alone on their hateful, judgmental nasty little tirades. That's a relief.
Thanks Natasha :) Glad to meet you.
tame mainstay Jul 7, 2012, 6:17pm UTC
I'm proud proud proud! Thanks for the heads up, Natasha!
tame mainstay Jul 7, 2012, 6:19pm UTC
PS I'm impressed by your take on the event!
Natasha Puryear Jul 7, 2012, 6:20pm UTC
What can I say I am an Aggie fan!
Rebecca Taylor Jul 7, 2012, 9:21pm UTC
Wow, that is awesome the Aggies stood up to this cult to protect one of their own. The Supreme Court decision upholding WBC's right to engage in their hate speech has only galvanized them. Hopefully more people across the country will stand up to WBC's abuse the way these Aggies did.

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