For the funeral procession of fallen Omaha police officer Kerrie Orozco, the notorious Westboro Baptist Church predictably planned to protest, but the Omaha community had a more worthy plan in mind.
On the day of the funeral, 100 people in blue t-shirts armed with large, white sheets showed up to block the protesters along the funeral procession.
Hahha. Omaha showing Westboro Baptist who’s town they’re in pic.twitter.com/wmVwBHVwkl
— tmoney (@Tan_Tan06) May 26, 2015
Westboro Baptist Church shows up to protest Omaha Police Officer Kerrie Orozco’s funeral only to be blocked out by … pic.twitter.com/vwSA30bet0
— CodeAndCommand (@CodeAndCommand) May 26, 2015
As The Blaze reported, it was the daughter of a retired officer, Kate Kielion, who organized the counter protest. It was comprised of community members and local supporters, both people who did and didn’t know Orozco. The materials for the sheets came entirely from donations.
Local man Joe Swafford, 26, organized a Facebook group to let people know about Westboro’s intended protest and the counter protest plans.
“We’re all in this together. Everyone should be able to grieve in peace,” he told Omaha.com.
Orozco, a new mom, was fatally shot last week while trying to arrest a man on a warrant. She was set to begin her maternity leave the next day.
Rest in Peace Kerrie #NebraskaStrong pic.twitter.com/ZIOhJF7qBg
— REALNebraskaGIRLS (@RealNeGirls) May 26, 2015
The five Westboro protesters left twenty minutes before the funeral was scheduled to start.
