Westboro Baptist Church, whose members are known for protesting high-profile funerals claiming that God’s wrath brought about the deaths, made a brief appearance in Orlando Saturday morning.

They were met by protesters and police.

>> Read more trending stories

Officials with the Orlando Police Department confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the group was Florida-bound, citing a letter from the church.

A group called Westboro Counter Protesters had hastily formed to counter any presence Westboro tried to maintain at the upcoming funerals of the Pulse nightclub victims. The Orlando Shakespeare Theater is sponsoring the "Angel Wing Project," and will build large wings to protect funeral attendees from having to witness the Westboro protesters, who often carry offensive, homophobic signs.

About the Author

Featured

Fulton DA Fani Willis (center) with Nathan J. Wade (right), the special prosecutor she hired to manage the Trump case and had a romantic relationship with, at a news conference announcing charges against President-elect Donald Trump and others in Atlanta, Aug. 14, 2023. Georgia’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, upheld an appeals court's decision to disqualify Willis from the election interference case against Trump and his allies. (Kenny Holston/New York Times)

Credit: NYT