Hundreds of people have dressed as angels to protect mourners at funerals of victims of the Orlando shooting from homophobic protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church.

The Christian fundamentalist organisation are picketing the funerals with signs containing messages such as ‘God Hates Fags’ and are well known for protesting funeral ceremonies of LGBT people.

Around 200 counter protesters have formed a ring around the funerals, with many wearing large white wings in order to block the church members from seeing or interacting with the mourners.

49 people died when Omar Mateen entered Pulse nightclub in Orlando and began shooting people with a Sig Sauer MCX gun. More than 50 people were also seriously wounded in the attack. Mateen was killed in cross fire with police officers at the scene.

The nightclub is a well-known gay club in the Orlando area and most of the victims were members of the local LGBT community.

The Westboro Baptist church is a small but vocal religious group in the US which is known for their demonstrations at funerals of those who they perceive as falling foul of God’s orders. The Southern Poverty Law Center lists the Kansas-based organisation as extremist hate group, and say that they are “arguably the most obnoxious and rabid hate group in America.”

Earlier this week, the church issued a statement saying: “God sent the shooter.” It read: “No coincidence that God is smacking Orlando with grievous sorrow, killing your children with shooters and alligators, when you are about to belly up to ‘father’s day’! DON’T DO IT! Your faithless dads are to blame for your horrible sorrow.”

In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Show all 44 1 /44 In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Frank Escalante This undated photo shows Frank Hernandez, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Luis Daniel Conde This undated photo shows Luis Daniel Conde, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Brenda Lee Marquez McCool In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan CORRECTS FROM YILMARY RODRIGUEZ SULIVAN TO YILMARY RODRIGUEZ SOLIVAN- This undated photo shows Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Joel Rayon Paniagua This photo shows Joel Rayon Paniagua, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Jerald Arthur Wright This undated photo shows Jerald Arthur Wright, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Paul Terrell Henry This undated photo shows Paul Terrell Henry, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Shane Evan Tomlinson This undated photo shows Shane Evan Tomlinson, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Antonio Davon Brown This undated photo shows Antonio Davon Brown, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Jason Benjamin Josaphat This undated photo shows Jason Benjamin Josaphat, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Enrique L. Rios, Jr. This undated photo shows Enrique L. Rios, Jr., one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Darryl Roman Burt This undated photo shows Darryl Roman Burt II, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Cory James Connell An undated photo from the Facebook account of Cory James Connell, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Cory Connell via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Tevin Eugene Crosby This undated photo shows Tevin Eugene Crosby, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Jonathan Antonio Camuy-Vega This undated photo shows Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala This undated photo shows Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Leroy Valentin Fernandez This undated photo shows Leroy Valentin Fernandez, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Instagram via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Christopher Andrew Leinonen This undated photo shows Christopher Andrew Leinonen, right, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The man at left is unidentified. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Angel L. Candelario-Padro This undated photo shows Angel L. Candelario-Padro, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Simon Adrian Carrillo-Fernande This undated photo shows Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz An undated photo from the Facebook account of Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Javier Jorge-Reyes This undated photo shows Javier Jorge-Reyes, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Gilberto Ramon Silva-Menendez This undated photo shows Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Juan P. Rivera-Velazquez This undated photo shows Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Miguel Angel Honorato This undated photo provided by Jose Honorato shows his brother Miguel Angel Honorato, center, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Courtesy of Jose Honorato via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Jean Carlos Mendez Perez An undated photo from the Facebook account of Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Jean Mendez via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Mercedez Marisol Flores An undated photo from the Facebook account of Mercedez Marisol Flores, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Mercedez Flores via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado An undated photo from the Facebook account of Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Xavier E. Serrano via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Anthony Luis Laureano Disla An undated photo from the Facebook account of Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Anthony Laureano via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Franky Jimmy De Jesus Velazquez An undated photo from the Facebook account of Franky Jimmy De Jesus Velazquez, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Jimmy De Jesus via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Oscar A. Aracena-Montero An undated photo from the Facebook account of Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Oscar Aracena via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon An undated photo from the Facebook account of Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Lestat Wilson via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Martin Benitez Torres An undated photo from the Facebook account of Martin Benitez Torres, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Martin Benitez via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Stanley Almodovar Facebook/Stanley Manolo Almodovar III In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Eddie Justice Faebook/ Eddie Justice In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Luis Vielma Twitter/@jk_rowling In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera Facebook/ Eric Rivera In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Juan Ramon Guerrero Facebook/ Juan Ramon Guerrero In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz Facebook/ Peter Gonzalez Cruz In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Amanda Alvear Facebook/ Amanda Alvear In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Anthony Disla Facebook/ Anthony Disla In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Edward Sotomayor Twitter/@ryanraiche In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo Facebook/Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Kimberley Morris Twitter/ ‏@katiezavadski

Executive director of a local LGBT community centre Terry DeCarlo had called for calm and asked people to “shower them with love” instead of becoming angry with the church protesters.