Justin Sayers

Louisville Courier Journal

The Westboro Baptist Church intends to protest Muhammad Ali's memorial service on Friday, officials announced on their website and social media.

From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., the radical Baptist church plans to picket outside the KFC Yum! Center where a funeral service is scheduled for Ali, according to their picket schedule. They also threatened on Twitter to burn a copy of the Quran, the Muslim holy book.

The group said they're protesting because Ali was a "Christ-rejecting Muslim" and "followed after the false prophet ... Muhammad."

Protesting funerals is nothing new for the Topeka, Kansas-based church. They originally gained notoriety for protesting the funeral of a Matthew Shepard in Wyoming in 1998, after it was determined he was beaten to death because of his homosexuality.

They have also protested the funerals of military service members, Steve Jobs, Michael Jackson and the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut. They are particularly outspoken with their anti-LGBT and anti-Semitic views.

Friday's memorial service at the KFC Yum! Center begins at 2 p.m. Eulogists include Lonnie Ali, former President Bill Clinton, actor Billy Crystal and journalist Bryant Gumbel. All available tickets were given out in less than an hour Wednesday, as hundreds lined up outside the arena's box office.

The city announced Wednesday night that it will erect large screens near the Kentucky Center for the Performing Centers at the Belvedere, a downtown park setting a few blocks away, that can accommodate more than 10,000 people. Water and restrooms will be available.

Officials warned visitors to expect heavy traffic and limited parking in the area. They are offering off-site parking with shuttles into the area.

Justin Sayers can be reached at 502-582-4252 or jsayers@gannett.com