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Bus Victim Tim McLean Funeral Not Protested
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by ChrisD | August 9, 2008 at 08:56 pm
2683 views | 46 Recommendations | 17 comments
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The funeral of bus victim Tim McLean was not protested Saturday by the hateful U.S. church group that was expected to be there. McLean was brutally stabbed and beheaded aboard a Greyhound bus on July 30, 2008 near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada. His death made international headlines immediately due to the gruesome details.
About 600 people gathered in anticipation of forming a human wall to protect the McLean family in the event the protesters made an appearance. The Westboro Baptist Church had planned on being present to protest Canada's views on homosexuality, adultery and abortions. At the last minute, the group cancelled out of fears of retaliation and being arrested.
The Winnipeg Police Service addressed members of the media at around 1:45 p.m. in a parking lot a block away from the church. They wanted to convey that their goal was to have a peaceful day and for everyone to respect the wishes of the McLean family. Organizers also handed out sheets of paper stating a few guidelines for all supporters, which included no signs/banners/flags, no music/yelling/loud noises and no confrontations, verbal or physical.
According to a representative for Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Tim’s remains were cremated a few days ago and there was no burial/cemetery service held after the funeral.
-- With files from ChrisD.ca
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (17)
at 21:13 on August 9th, 2008
ChrisD, I like this story. It's good stuff.
I added your video as well.
Thanks for posting this; I'm just so shocked and surprised that there was going to be a protest at all! To me, that's terrible.
at 23:20 on August 9th, 2008
Glad to here they didn't do the protest. This is the same group that had plans to protest the funerals of the boy scouts that were killed in a tornado here is Iowa.
at 21:17 on August 9th, 2008
Thanks for posting my video, it's greatly appreciated.
at 22:33 on August 9th, 2008
Thank goodness. This family has had enough to go through without that added stress.
at 00:51 on August 10th, 2008
ChrisD, I like this story. It's good stuff.
What on earth were they going to protest -- his dying?
Mary
at 04:48 on August 10th, 2008
ChrisD, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 04:53 on August 10th, 2008
ChrisD, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 05:02 on August 10th, 2008
ChrisD, I like this story. It's good stuff.
Like everyone else, I can't believe anyone would protest this. In fact, I've just made the mistake of googling this so-called church and reading some of its website - what a bunch of delusional sociopaths - I can hardly believe that such people exist. I've read some hate-crime-inspiring sites over the years, but this one takes the biscuit!
at 08:11 on August 10th, 2008
ChrisD, I like this story. It's good stuff. Do these people purport to be Christians?
at 08:27 on August 10th, 2008
ChrisD,
Sorry but this story doesn't make any sense to me at all. As a new reader coming in to view your story it sets no context as to what the issue is. The 5 min video and the copy do not explain the issue at all. I think you need to put yourself in the shoes of a brand new readers before writing your stories. I will have to go off and google the story to find out the real issue.
Mark
at 09:02 on August 10th, 2008
Even a new reader would have heard about this story, as it made international headlines. The issue is clear -- protesters didn't show up to Tim McLean's funeral. I've edited the text to include more details.
at 10:05 on August 10th, 2008
Hi Chris, let me help. Most people don't remember names. Heck, even witnesses don't remember details very well--just ask any cop or defense attorney. Although yes, this story was huge news, still and all--most people will not be able to rattle off the names of attacker and victim now, and will be even less likely to do so in a few weeks.
Therefore, the advice given you was sound. A better headline would have been something like "Canadian Beheading Victim Mourned Without Protests by XXX"...or anything with the term "Canadian Beheading Victim" or "Bus Beheading Victim" etc. You can also put the name in the header --but identify it.
I ran a quick Google. Among the results I got on my first page: a physics teacher's page, an actor, voice-over talent, a realtor, etc. (Yes, there's an actor named Tim McLean.)
The trick is to make things as easy as possible for readers, now and later, to be clear what a story is about. That will get you increased readership. :)
at 10:14 on August 10th, 2008
Searching for 'Tim McLean' on Google brings up numerous news articles from Google News for me, but thanks for the tips.
at 12:41 on August 10th, 2008
ChrisD, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 12:53 on August 10th, 2008
ChrisD, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 17:57 on August 10th, 2008
Groups like that are why I'm an Atheist.
at 21:09 on August 10th, 2008
ChrisD, ooops, somehow I didn't leave the flag last time! (my bad). Chris, good on you for providing original work.