Eeeew.

[losubres]

I yoinked the following flier from ithaca_ny. The Westboro Baptist Church is coming to Rochester to protest the memorial being held for the Fairport girls killed last month.

This is the infamous, ultra-conservative group that justifies anything bad that happens as punishment from God because "God hates fags."

Comments

[metlimos]

Yup, cuz mortals decide what the supposed immortals like and dislike.

[eatdave13]

I'm going to protest this by paying absolutely no attention to the whole thing … uh, right after this comment. And also with a couple of dogs enjoying some puke play.

[nouvelle_rozu]

I am not sure what these people are picketing because it seems so unbelievable.... Are they actually using this recent tragedy to stage a protest at which a multitude of people will be looking on? Because they believe Fairport to be "fag-enablers

[losubres]

As to your first question...yes. Yes the Westboro Baptist Church is, in fact, using the loss of life of five young women as a springboard to perpetuate their nasty, venom-filled faith. Very Christian, isn't it?

My pro-GLBT beliefs weren't so much on my mind when I read that flier, as were my feelings that the families and friends of those girls have the right to mourn and remember them...in peace. Quietly, without hassle or yelling or signs that have nothing to do with how they died or lived their lives.

[nouvelle_rozu]

I still feel like vomiting. And now I'm torn between staying away from the protests, to give the families more peace, (because I will NOT be holding a friendly sign if I'm there), and also for standing against such ill-taste and ignorance. Perhaps if we could get an organized protest on the Rochester front, one that is silent? To maintain peace and silence for the victims' families and friends?

[losubres]

I'm emailing some contacts now to get some advice on putting something peaceful together. I've never organized something like this before, but there's a first time for everything.

[kilo_foxtrot]

The Westboro Baptist Church should take an extended trip to Great Britain. That way, they can help out with the new public smoking ban. You know, since God supposedly hates fags.

Corny jokes aside, though... this is just plain pathetic and sad.

[bigmel42]

Sadly, it's also nothing new. WBC protested at all the funeral after the shootings here (at VT) this sprint. There are counter-protests, though (biker groups and such) that stand around between the funeral and the WBC wearing angel wings, to block the view from either side.

[nouvelle_rozu]

wow, just went to the website and apparently this is what these guys do for a living. travel around the country being general fuckheads. scary, the way people can think.

[camper4lyfe]

This is why the Patriot Guard (patriotguard.org) was founded, to protect and shield the families of fallen soldiers against these pieces of dog shit.

[losubres]

And I am all about that. But these girls aren't fallen soldiers...they are five young women that lost their lives on a dark road in Rochester.

Does a group like the Patriot Guard exist for them? Mourning is mourning and their families and friends have every right to do it in peace.

[nouvelle_rozu]

dunno if you thought of this, but the media will have to be alerted if there is a counter-protest, maybe the police too - but definitely the media so that the families know we aren't there to antagonize, but to show these WBC folk they aren't welcome.

[heartttcore]

Ew..Religious zealots make baby Jesus cry. =[