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Grand Island, Nebraska | I am a Patriot Guard Rider. The group has tax exempt status that prohibits us from counter protesting and that is what it would be if the PGR showed up at these funerals. Below is the response from the Arizona state ride captain:
All of us watched and read in disbelief about the shootings that took place in Tucson this weekend. Such a tragic loss of life.
As you may know the Uninvited Guests (UG's) have threatened to protest at their services. I have received many inquires to see if the Patriot Guard Riders would be there to honor those that passed from this tragedy and provide a barrier between the families and the UG's.
The Patriot Guard Riders are not a counter protest group. We have a very specific mission statement that focuses on paying our respect to our Fallen Heroes that have served our country and its citizens either through military service or as first responders. As much as we would wish that no family would suffer the attentions of these protests, we are not a counter protest group.
We understand the sorrow that the families of the fallen are experiencing. We offer our sincere condolences for their loss and hope that no protesters will attempt to twist the families’ pain into an opportunity for media exposure to push a political agenda. The best way to prevent these folks from attending funerals is to deny them media coverage and attention. That is the only reason they would be there.
Sincerely,
Harold Thomas
Arizona State Captain | |
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Funeral protest in Arizona-----A no no---Good for them!
