June 21, 2012 | 10:28 pm

Westboro Baptist to protest Inland Empire soldier’s funeral

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

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Westborough Baptists. Photo by Wikipedia/ArizonaLincoln

Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that the Westboro Baptist folks had a First Amendment right to protest near the funerals of dead soldiers, no matter how offensive their message was because they were addressing an issue of public concern. (The decision is widely expected; even I anticipated the Court’s reasoning.) Tomorrow they are bringing their hate-filled message to San Bernardino.

My old paper, The Sun, reports:

Members of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., known for their extremist stand against the military and homosexuals, have said that they plan to picket Friday at the funeral for Army Pcf. Nathan Davis at Yucaipa Christian Church, according to a news release.

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Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucaipa, on Thursday also urged the public to come out in support of Davis.

“Unfortunately, a hate group is threatening to picket his services,” Cook said in a statement. “Let’s show his family the best of Yucaipa by supporting his sacrifice and commitment to our freedom in a manner that is reverent and respectful. The city is helping to organize people to stand along the processional route, and I encourage anyone available to support this effort.”

Representatives from Westboro Baptist Church couldn’t be reached for comment.

Read the rest here, and more on the organization here and here.

It remains to be seen whether Westboro Baptist follows through on their plans. Last year they canceled plans to picket a 9-year-old’s funeral.