The City of Haleyville issued a statement today urging the public to ignore any protests that may occur during the funeral services for US Air Force Senior Airman Mark Forester. “We have a plan. We have the personnel to handle this,” Mayor Ken Sunseri stressed.

Sunseri added that if anyone sees a protest, they should call the Haleyville Police Department. He is asking the public, “Do not overreact. Let us handle it. The image we project [as a community] must be a positive one.”

One citizen at the press conference said, “Don't counter-protest, that's what they want us to do. This is a time to give respect to our fallen troop and his family.”

It should be noted that protest groups threaten to protest many military funerals each year and only decide to appear where they feel the most fury will arise.