SCOTT COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) -- As a community mourns the loss of the four young cheerleaders, and a grandmother and unborn baby in the second car, Westboro Baptist Church, known for protesting soldiers' funerals, claims it will show up in Scott County to picket.

With one teenager buried Wednesday, and another lying in the funeral home, people here say they're disgusted to hear that a group would take advantage of this tragedy to make a political statement.

Flags fly at half-staff, and you can't drive far in Scott Co. without seeing ribbons, in memory of those who died.

As everyone here stands united in their time of suffering, news that a group may use this event to protest is very upsetting.

Resident Amanda Ward says, "I just don't think it's right. If something happened to one of them, they would want the same kind of respect shown."

Resident Ronnie Brock says, "Well, I'd say they don't need any extra grief at all with the tragedy that's happened. I'm sure the families have been through a lot and they'd just like a little bit of peace."

The group that plans to protest is from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan. Their news release says "God Hates Tennessee" and says the cheerleaders "died for Tennessee's sins."
The group that's known for strong anti-homosexual views told us by phone they now plan to protest at the high school, rather than at the funerals.

Church spokesperson Shirley Phelps says, "To help you connect the dots from your rebellion against God, your idols, your false gods, your filthy manner of life, teaching your children that God is a liar and rebellion against His standards."

Wherever they choose, the protesters will not be welcome.

Scott Appalachian Industries Executive Director Scott Appalachian Industries "You know, what goes around comes around, and people ought to just be careful."

The sign in front of Scott Appalachian Industries is just one of many indications of his support for the victims' families.

West says, "I don't know that I would want to find people in their lowest time of despair and try to make misery even worse."

There's another sign of support outside Pizza Plus. Owner David Daugherty put it there. He says the thought of protestors here is more than he can stand.

Daugherty says, "I can't believe something like this would happen, but you've got those people out there that would do stuff like this."

Sheriff Anthony Lay refused to go on camera, saying he doesn't want to do anything to give publicity to a group like this, but he says the Scott County Sheriff's Department will provide security and make sure there are no disruptions at any funerals.

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Previous story written by Michael Grider:

SCOTT COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Members of a controversial church known for protesting the funerals of fallen American soldiers while carrying signs that say things like "God hates the U.S.A." were planning to picket at the funeral services for four Scott High School cheerleaders, a 46-year-old woman and an unborn child all killed in a fiery crash in Scott County later Friday night, but a church spokesperson tells Volunteer TV News that the picket will most likely take place at Scott High School.

Westboro Baptist Church members issued a press releases saying they were planning to picket the funerals "In religious protest and warning; to wit:'Be not deceived; God is not mocked.' Gal. 6:7. With a message to the living: Beware of evil Tennessee and the curse of God. These six people died for Tennessee's sins. Worse is coming upon Persecutors of God's servants."

The release proclaims "Got hates Tennessee" in all capital letters at the top of the page.

Volunteer TV News tried to contact the church at the phone number provided on the press release (784-273-0325), but every time we tried to call the church we got a message saying the call could not be completed as dialed.

After seeing our story on VolunteerTV.com, church member Shirley Phelps called the Volunteer TV Newsroom.

She says the church is planning to picket in Scott County "to help you connect the dots from your rebellion against God, your idols, your false gods, your filthy manner of life, teaching your children that God is a liar and rebellion against His standards."

Phelps also says that the picketing plans will likely change so that the protest actually happens at Scott High School, instead of the funerals.

Authorities in Scott County say they received the press release, but they have not had any contact with the church or its members.

The church's Web site is GodHatesFags.com.

CLICK HERE to view the press release provided by Westboro Baptist Church.

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