Elizabeth Edwards funeral takes place amidst protests, heavy security

01/09

Caption

A small group of Westboro Baptist Church members pickets the funeral of Elizabeth Edwards, estranged wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, Saturday in Raleigh.

02/09

Caption

A Westboro Baptist Church member carries numerous signs, including one saying "Thank God For Breast Cancer," at the funeral of Elizabeth Edwards, who died of breast cancer, while conspicuously dragging the American flag on the sidewalk.

03/09

Caption

A small group of Westboro Baptist Church members protests the funeral of Elizabeth Edwards, estranged wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, Saturday in Raleigh while conspicuously dragging two American flags on the sidewalk.

04/09

Caption

A Westboro Baptist Church member, protesting the funeral of breast cancer victim Elizabeth Edwards, carries a sign saying "Thank God For Breast Cancer."

05/09

Caption

A small group of Westboro Baptist Church members picket the funeral of Elizabeth Edwards in Raleigh.

06/09

Caption

A small group of Westboro Baptist Church members prepare to picket Elizabeth Edwards' funeral Saturday as one of them photographs their group.

07/09

Caption

Numerous Raleigh Police Dept. officers separate Westboro Baptist Church protesters, counterdemonstrators in Raleigh Saturday at the funeral of Elizabeth Edwards as one Westboro Baptist Church member carries a sign reading "Elizabeth In Hell."

08/09

Caption

Hundreds of counterdemonstrators face the fistful of Westboro Baptist Church members picketing the funeral of Elizabeth Edwards from across the street as numerous police keep the groups separated.

09/09

Caption

A hearse carrying the body of Elizabeth Edwards, estranged wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, is parked out front of the Edenton Street United Methodist Church where the funeral is being held.

Report current story

The funeral of Elizabeth Edwards, estranged wife of former presidential candidate John Edwards, takes place amidst competing protests by the Westboro Baptist Church and local opponents of its in downtown Raleigh. Raleigh, USA, 11/12/2010.

Elizabeth Edwards' funeral after her death of breast cancer this Tuesday at her Chapel Hill, North Carolina home takes place Saturday in downtown Raleigh amidst competing protests by the antigay Westboro Baptist Church and local opponents of its and a heavy police presence.
Flag desecration is a conspicuous part of the Westboro Baptist Church's protest of this funeral - as at least two Westboro Baptist Church members drag American flags on the sidewalk and walk on them.