Man 'spilled' drink on Westboro protester defending flag

WILMINGTON, Del. — A man arrested Saturday prior to the funeral of former Delaware attorney general Beau Biden said he attended a counter protest with the intent that all would remain peaceful when members of a Kansas church picketed the funeral.

But when Richard Pierce, 64, a former Marine and Vietnam veteran, saw one of the Westboro Baptist Church protesters dragging and stepping on the American flag she had tied just under her knees, something inside of him "snapped," he said.

"It was not my intention to cause a problem," Pierce said. "However, when I saw the young lady walking across the highway, dragging our flag under her feet, I lost my temper and the only way that I could demonstrate that is spill my coffee on them."

Pierce was one of about 300 people who were out Saturday counter protesting three members of the Topeka, Kan., church known for picketing soldiers' funerals as well as for its harsh anti-homosexual beliefs and the crude signs its members carry at their frequent protests.

Saturday's picket by the group peacefully ended shortly after 10 a.m., after the presidential motorcade passed by on its way to Biden's funeral Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church.

But as Westboro members were escorted to their car, Pierce walked up to them holding a cup of coffee he had purchased at a McDonald's earlier in the morning.

Then as the women placed their signs into their car, Pierce tossed the coffee at them, striking two of the women.

Pierce, of the Pike Creek, Del., area, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor. He has a hearing July 20.

While the courts have allowed protesters to disrespect the flag, Pierce said it still angers him.

"So many people have died in defense of that flag," he said. "I don't care who you are, you are not going to disrespect the flag. And if I have to go to jail to defend that flag, I'm going to do it.

"I take that very strongly."

Pierce said one of his few regrets was giving publicity to the Westboro church.

"I guess that's where I fell into their trap," he said.