Biteboy plans to bite back at Phelps, followers
7:41 p.m. Thursday, June 15, 2006
Topeka — Biteboy is a rock band on a mission.
The band said they want to show US troops stationed overseas that they are not forgotten, and they are appreciated.
The band said they have friends fighting in Iraq, and they said they want to show their support for the troops, even if it meant traveling across the country to do it.
“It’s a terrible situation for them,” Rick Namey, band manager, said. “They’re 8,000 miles away stuck over there and one of their buddies gets killed. They go home in a body bag and then this nonsense is going on.”
Funeral picketing legislation
- Kansa Supreme Court rules down funeral picketing law (March 11, 2008)
- State's high court hears arguments on funeral picketing law (Dec. 6, 2007)
- Funeral protest bill going to the governor (March 29, 2007)
- Lawmakers fail to address funeral picketing before session's end (May 11, 2006)
- National legislation makes funeral protesting a crime (May 10, 2006)
- Agreement reached on funeral picketing bill (May 2, 2006)
- Lawmakers struggle to stop Phelps, followers (March 28, 2006)
The “nonsense” Namey referenced is about the work of Fred Phelps and his followers with the Westboro Baptist Church. Phelps and his gang travel the country to protest funerals of fallen soldiers.
The band said they will play a concert to protest Phelps and the church – a concert requested by soldiers themselves.
“We kept getting emails from soldiers saying, ‘I wish you guys would play in Topeka and tell those guys what you think of them,’” Namey said.
The band spread the word to their many fans through their. Biteboy financed the trip by selling CDs, t-shirts and some of their equipment.
Band members said they hope to have the show in the same neighborhood as the Westboro Baptist Church, but they are uncertain of the location.
Namey contacted Topeka police to make sure the band follows the rules.
“There are no permits that are being issued at this point, so anything they do would have to fall under current city ordinances,” Maj. Gary Herman, Topeka Police, said.
For the band, no permits means they will have to control noise levels and crowds. Regardless of the restrictions the band said they will have their show in Topeka. The band said they believe their message is too important to cancel the show.
“It has nothing to do with support of the war,” Namey said. “This is support of your friends and fellow Americans.”
Comments
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Jun. 16, 2006 at 10:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)n8r (anonymous)
I think this is a great idea...anything to counter the destructive behaviour and message of my family. - Nate Phelps
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