Boston Teamsters To Westboro Hate Group: You Are Not Welcome Here

Union Members will Serve as Human Shields for Officer Collier Service Tomorrow

News provided by

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Apr 23, 2013, 10:11 ET

BOSTON, April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 1,000 Boston Teamsters, union members and concerned citizens lined the streets of Medford, Mass. on Monday, April 22, 2013 to serve as human shields blocking the Westboro hate group from picketing and disrupting the funeral of Krystle Campbell, who was killed in the Boston Marathon bombing last week. The demonstrators did not show up.

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"We will protect the mourners of the Boston Marathon bombing victims from hate group disruptions," said Sean O'Brien, President of Teamsters Local 25 and International Vice President. "I am committed to making certain that the loved ones of the victims can grieve in peace. We will not stand by and allow these cowardly demonstrators to spout their hate toward these families."

O'Brien made it clear that Boston Teamsters will be at the funeral of officer Sean Collier on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 to ensure that the Westboro hate group is hidden from mourners - should they choose to show up.

"This is what the Teamsters Union is about, it's what we do," said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. "I could not be more proud of Sean O'Brien and the Boston Teamsters for standing with these families during this tragic time."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters