'When those 18-wheelers pulled up in front of the church, that was a statement'

Teamsters and union members formed a human shield against hate.

Teamsters Local 25 President Sean O'Brien received this email following the funeral of Krystle Campbell, a Boston Marathon bombing victim. More than a thousand Teamsters and union members formed a human wall to protect mourners from a disruptive hate group.

We love the email and want to share it with you.

Dear President O'Brien, 

  Good morning. I wanted to take the opportunity to recognize your people, Teamsters Local 25 Boston. I know you must be a busy man, I'll keep it as brief as possible. 

 On Monday morning, I went to Medford to stand in your "Human Wall" and show support for, and preserve the dignity of the funeral service for our fallen fellow American and Bostonian, Krystal Campbell. 

   I'm a retired military man, and in my time in uniform, I've seen, and have participated in some pretty impressive gatherings of "Command Presence". But when those 18-wheelers pulled up in front of that church on Monday morning, that was a statement, to say the least. I was proud to be part of that crowd, to stand among your team members, many and rather large. What are you feeding those guys, anyway? I was reminded - I think everyone there was, especially the family and friends of Krystal on the other side of the street -  that no cowardly act of terrorism will ever break the American spirit, that no people can hold Boston down. 

  Maybe you'll do me a favor and get these words down to your troops on the front line. Forward the email, post it, or ultimately, read it as an opener at your next gathering, to set the tone and let your people know that the logo they wear on their shirts and paint on those trucks means a hell of a lot more to the citizens of this country and this great city than they can imagine. Should that be the case, should your people be listening to these words right now, give yourselves a well-deserved round of applause, 25, make some noise. 

   I'm not a big name with a power title. But I AM an AMERICAN, and I AM a BOSTONian - 2 of the proudest titles I've ever held, for life until death, Monday's display is why, and it's a good feeling to know that should the integrity of either is ever threatened, 25, their 18-wheelers, and their Patriots will have a little something to say about that, no matter who or where I am. 

  Good job, 25. A class act. 

  GOD BLESS AMERICA.
  GOD BLESS BOSTON.
  GOD BLESS UNION POWER AND
  LOCAL 25 BOSTON 

  ... and God help anyone who fucks
  with any of the 4!! 

- Bill
AMERICAN
BOSTONIAN
Lifetime Teamsters Local 25 fan 

p.s. - Sorry about the profanity, it's necessary emphasis, and if Big Papi can cuss on television, I guess I can.

Tomorrow, Teamsters will perform the same duty for the memorial service of slain MIT officer Sean Collier.

Teamsters, again, to shield a Boston Marathon victim's funeral from Westboro Baptists

Protecting Krystle's mourners from hate.

Boston Teamsters will again form a human shield to prevent the Westboro Baptist Church hate group from disrupting Wednesday's funeral for slain MIT officer Sean Collier. The group said it plans to picket theservice tomorrow.

More than 1,000 Boston Teamsters, union members and concerned citizens lined the streets of Medford, Mass., yesterday to serve as human shields blocking the Westboro hate group from picketing and disrupting the funeral of Krystle Campbell, who was killed in the Boston Marathon bombing last week. The demonstrators did not dare show their faces.

Sean O'Brien, President of Teamsters Local 25 in Boston and international vice president, said today in a statement:

We will protect the mourners of the Boston Marathon bombing victims from hate group disruptions. I am committed to making certain that the loved ones of the victims can grieve in peace. We will not stand by and allow these cowardly demonstrators to spout their hate toward these families.

O'Brien made it clear that Boston Teamsters will be at the funeral of officer Sean Collier on Wednesday to ensure that the Westboro hate group is hidden from mourners.

Said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa:

This is what the Teamsters Union is about, it's what we do. I could not be more proud of Sean O'Brien and the Boston Teamsters for standing with these families during this tragic time.

Members of Local 25 who came to Medford yesterday said they just wanted to help. Jason  Jason Lopes, steward at Stop and Shop, said:

When we heard someone was needed to stand up for Krystle, we answered the call. This is what Teamsters do. This is what unions are for.

 Adam Strout, an 18-year member at UPS in Watertown:

I just hope this show of solidarity helps Krystle’s family in their time of grief.

Lynda Beaulieu, a 17-year member at Xpedx in Wilmington:

Krystle’s mom and brother are both union members and all of us are part of one big union family. We help each other out when we need it.

Proud to be a Teamster!