X-Sender: kevyn@pop.ksu.ksu.edu Mime-Version: 1.0 Approved-By: Kevyn Jacobs Date: Fri, 22 Sep 1995 11:02:34 -0500 Reply-To: Kevyn Jacobs Sender: Information Repository for News of Interest to GLB* Folk From: Kevyn Jacobs Subject: (USA,KS,PHELPS) NT: Phelps wasn't target of bombing X-To: Kansas Queer News To: Multiple recipients of list GLB-NEWS FROM THE NEWS-TELEGRAPH SEPTEMBER 8-21, 1995 ========================== Police Say Fred Phelps Not Target Of Bombing by Lisa Marie Neff TOPEKA KS-Days after an explosion rocked a home at the Phelps compound in west Topeka, police discounted the idea the bomb was targeted at the Reverend Fred Phelps Sr., his church or his family. But Phelps--notorious here and across the country for his pickets against Gays, Lesbians and people living with AIDS--continues to say the bomb was a threat against him and his work through the Westboro Baptist Church. The explosion occurred at about 11:30 pm on August 20. A plastics bomb exploded between a stockade fence and a van parked in the driveway of the home of Shirley Phelps-Roper the pastor's daughter. The Phelps-Roper family lives at the compound in the 3600 block of S.W. Churchill in west Topeka. No injuries were reported but the van and fence were damaged. Police said they believe the explosion was not targeted at Phelps because they confirmed a second explosion in west Topeka that night and received reports of a third. Before police discounted Phelps' theory and claim that he was the victim of a "pro-homosexual" attack, Phelps speculated local law enforcement would make the claim. He said Topeka police, fire officials and prosecutors are "pro-homosexual" and the local media is "pro-homosexual" and he would fail to fully-investigate the incident. In a statement to Topeka police chief Gerald Beavers, Phelps said, "Crimes committed against us apparently go uninvestigated while your corrupt officers drive around with anti-Phelps signs on their cars and plot the filing of lying reports exonerating criminals and implicating innocent church members." On August 22, Phelps called on the US Justice Department to investigate the explosion. At press time, the Justice Department had not responded to Phelps' request. Phelps also offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the incident. Some Topeka residents said they believe Phelps was the target of the explosion. Others believe the explosion was the result of youth pranks and some Phelps or a follower set off the bomb. Nearly all residents interviewed by this reporter said Phelps had too many enemies for him to blame a single person or group for the incident. Although Phelps calls his work against Lesbians and Gays a crusade, others have described his pickets as cruel and his words, hateful and bigoted. The recent ''Phelps trials," a series of seven proceedings against Phelps and several of his relatives and church members for actions at anti-Gay/Lesbian demonstrations last winter, resulted in an exorbitant bill for tax payers, the possibility of a lawsuit filed by Phelps and few convictions. Phelps was acquitted on charges of misdemeanor assault and battery but convicted on two disorderly conduct charges. Several of the trials ended with acquittals and others with deadlocked juries. Responding to the pastor's claim that the explosion was set by a "pro-homosexual," National Gay and Lesbian Task Force spokeswoman Robin Kane said Phelps should be challenged for "accusing without reason or evidence." Kane also said Phelps--with his cruel demonstrations at the funerals of people who have died of AIDS-related complications, public speaker's forums and Gay and Lesbian events--creates an atmosphere of violence. He should be very careful in saying who caused this act," Kane said. "He's making wild speculation." Local reaction to the incident was similar. ========================================================== Permission granted by the News-Telegraph for distribution to the KQN email list (KQN@casti.com), and archiving in the Queer Resources Directory (QRD) on the Internet (http://www.qrd.org/qrd). For News-Telegraph subscription information (published twice a month), please call 1.816.561.6266, or email: newstele@aol.com ==========================================================