After several vocal threats last week, the controversial Westboro Baptist Church backed down, and decided not to protest the funeral of a Boston Marathon bombing victim Monday.
Hours after the Boston Marathon explosions took place, the extremist group vowed to hold an anti-gay demonstration at the funerals of those murdered.
"WestboroBaptist Church to picket funerals of those dead by Boston Bombs! GOD SENT THE BOMBS IN FURY OVER FAG MARRIAGE! #PraiseGod," tweeted the WBC at 5:20 p.m. Monday.
The Kansas-based group also issued a press release on Saturday claiming the bombs were brought upon Boston by God because President Obama supports same-sex marriage.
"He is chiefly to blame for bringing down the wrath of God on Boston, on Massachusetts and on USA," the release reads. "[Mr. Obama] vows that those responsible for the Boston Marathon Bombs would feel the full weight of justice. Hello, Mr. Pervert-in-chief! GOD SENT THE BOMBS!"
However, when funeral services were held for Kyrstle Camplbell in Medford, Mass., the Westboro members were nowhere in sight. Just in case they did show up, more than 200 union members, organized by Teamsters Local 25, came to form a human shield against to prevent Campbell's services from being interrupted by protesters.
About 1,000 mourners attended Campbell's wake at the Dello Russo funeral home on Sunday. She was one of three people killed in the terror bombings that struck near the race's finish line a week ago.
According to the Washington Times, Campbell's parents originally believed their daughter was alive in surgery after the explosions. They later found out that her identity was mistaken with a friend's. Ms. Campbell was among the three who were killed.
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