CRANSTON, R.I. -- Cranston police officers on Thursday will monitor a church group's protest over the state's same-sex marriage law at City Hall, Mayor Allan Fung said Monday. The police will "keep the peace if needed."
According to the Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas, protesters will gather at the city clerk's office to picket the new law, legalizing same-sex marriage, Cranston is the first stop on a five-site protest that includes the State House and Brown University.
"While I am personally disturbed by the messages and tactics of the Westboro Baptist Church, I must remind people that it is that organization's constitutionally protected right to free speech that allows its members to protest," Fung said in a news release.
"However," he added, "as mayor of the city of Cranston, I will ensure that city services and licensing will not be interrupted. I encourage all parties involved to be respectful and to carry out their protests in a peaceful manner."
The anti-gay church group last protested in Rhode Island in May 2009.