"Human shield" Westboro protestors face charges

Four members of a motorcycle group that demonstrates outside the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka have pleaded not guilty to picketing during a religious event. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the group's trial next month could bring clarity to a city ordinance the protesters say is ambiguous.

On Sept. 12, Chantel Hosier, Ron Martin, Brook Barger and Nicholas Hines were ticketed because they were carrying an American flag, which is considered a banner under a Topeka municipal code regarding focused picketing. The group, called Journey 4 Justice, says it uses the flag to shield people from Westboro Baptist's signs that bemoan homosexuality and predict doom for the nation.

The four will challenge the officers' contention at a 10 a.m. trial in Topeka Municipal Court on Dec. 7.

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The Gayly - 11/3/2015 @11:30 a.m. CST