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Home  Random Extras Anti-gay protesters met by anti-hate demonstrators
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Anti-gay protesters met by anti-hate demonstrators |
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Written by Zamna Avila
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Thursday, 25 February 2010 |
Seven relatives of Westboro Baptist Church’s founder Rev. Fred Phelps, who were slated to attend several events in Long Beach on the weekend of Feb. 19, were met with resounding opposition by ant-hate demonstrators.
The Topeka, Kan.-based church, known for its anti-gay and anti-Semitic rhetoric, gained notoriety for staging demonstrations outside the funerals of American soldiers, taunting mourners and professing that God is punishing them for their tolerance of gays and lesbians. The group also operates the Web site www.godhatesfags.com.
The Westboro group started demonstrating Friday near the Alpert Jewish Community Center in Long Beach. About 40 counter-demonstrators showed up carrying signs opposing the out-of-towners.
The number of counter-demonstrators grew as the Westboro group continued making their presence known throughout the day. That same day, Church members carrying incendiary signs planted themselves across the street from Wilson High School holdings signs that read “God Hates Fags.”
More than 1,000 counter demonstrators, including students and community members, responded by waving Jewish, American, and rainbow flags and mocking signs that read "God Hates Shrimp,” "God Loves Tamales" and "Rock Hates Scissors.”
Less than half an hour after the school’s bell rang, dismissing its students for the day, the Kansas group drove away in a van.
The Westboro group also planned to stage a protest at the Ragga Muffins Festival at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, where about 500 anti-hate demonstrators showed up. But the church group was a no show.
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