Westboro Baptist Church Opts Out of Protest

The Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church, known for its protests of funerals and LGBT-related events, has now reneged on protesting the funerals for two young brothers.

Church leaders initially said that the deaths of Charlie Powell and Braden Powell was a retaliation from God over the passage of marriage equality laws in Washington state. A Seattle radio DJ gave Fred Phelps Jr., the founder of the church, a chance to present his views, but MSNBC reports that Phelps could only speak on air if he agreed to call off the protest. Phelps tweeted after his interview that the protest would no longer be taking place.

The Powell boys were killed Sunday during a supervised visit with their father, Josh Powell. Powell blew up the home, resulting in their deaths.