March Planned to Protest Topeka Church, Pastor Who Picketed Funerals of Gay Servicemen

First posted on 02-13-2008

March planned to protest Fred Phelps

TOPEKA, Kans., February 7, 2008 – March 30th is the date one small group is hoping one large
group will take a stand against Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church.

Beginning at 11:00AM on that Sunday, a planned protest will take place outside of the church in Topeka, KS.

“A million people may be aiming a little high, but we’re hoping for a large turnout,” said Chris Love, one of the March’s rganizers. “This isn’t a ‘gay-only’ event. Anyone who would like to express their displeasure with the Phelps family and their continuing message of intolerance and hate is welcome.”

The virulently homophobic Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), based in Topeka, Kansas, has
gained notoriety by picketing the funerals of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan to
protest what the group sees as America’s acceptance of homosexuality. The group has used
this and similar tactics at a variety of events nationwide.

Some wonder if the march will only draw more attention to the Phelps’ message. Love noted,
“Up until now, the only media-mentioned protests against the WBC were footnotes to stories about the Phelps’ publicity stunts. We don’t think we’re going to change the Phelps’ minds, but we hope they realize that there is an opposing voice that is equally as powerful as their own. Or at least, as powerful as they perceive it to be.”

And if that doesn’t work? “Well, for one day we’ll bring homesexual and heterosexual people
together for a united cause. In Kansas, no less.”