Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) on Sunday threatened to arrest members of the Westboro Baptist Church who stage protests at the funerals for the victims of the Thursday shooting at a movie theater in Lafayette, La.
“If they come here to Louisiana, if they try to disrupt this funeral, we’re going to lock them up. We’re going to arrest them. They shouldn’t try that in Louisiana. We won’t abide by that here,” Jindal said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “Let these families grieve. Let them celebrate their daughters, their children, their spouses, their loved ones’ lives in peace. They better not try that nonsense here.”
The Westboro Baptist Church, the anti-gay group known for protesting at military funerals, indicated last week that their members would picket at the funerals for the two victims of the shooting, which begin on Monday.
Warming up the picket signs for #lafayettetheater shooting victim funerals. God Sent the Shooter AGAIN! https://t.co/P0NkvGBIrJ
— Westboro Baptist (@WBCSaysRepent) July 24, 2015
Jindal issued an executive order on Saturday to protect the funerals from Westboro protesters. He said that the Louisiana State Police will enforce law that prohibits protesters from interfering with funerals, according to the Times-Picayune.
However, the group does not appear to be deterred by Jindal’s threats.
At 1% in the polls @BobbyJindal tries to get ahead by shootin up WBC’s 1st Amendment right to practice their religion http://t.co/6Hryl6snrn
— Westboro Baptist (@WBCSaysRepent) July 26, 2015
Since @BobbyJindal hates God and the Constitution, he should well expect more visitations from an angry God. #RepentOrPerish #GodH8sPride!
— Westboro Baptist (@WBCSaysRepent) July 27, 2015
Watch Jindal’s “Face the Nation interview via CBS: