What's the point of counter-protesting the WBC? (or Peace and Love in Colorado part II)

1) Showing support to the students and congregants who are being targeted with messages of hate. I am particularly concerned about the students, who as young people are particularly susceptible to the ideas and opinions of others. Many could be deeply hurt and disturbed by the message and actions of the WBC. Countering that message with one of love, support, acceptance, unity, and the power of standing together as a community can impact how they view the world, and their own role in it, in a positive way. It's empowerment! It's so important to show future generations that they have a voice and a choice to make the world a more secure place for us all.

2) It's a message to anyone here in CO who may share the opinions of the WBC, letting them know that an attack on any single member of our community for whatever reason is in fact an attack on the community as a whole, and we will actively pursue a peaceful community that accepts and values difference. If small messages of hatred are allowed, they will only grow. The WBC is not physically violent, but their acts open a space for others to push those boundaries and a potential for violence.

3) It's a message to the children whom the WBC manipulates to participate in spreading their hate. We can expose them to a message of love and acceptance, and show them that love is more powerful, maybe even provide a dash of hope. One of Phelps' estranged children describes a continuum of abuse (http://natephelps.com/), which makes apparent that they are in desperate need of some lovin.

4) How many times have you heard the phrase "American soldiers fought and died for freedom in America" or something like it? How often do you take advantage of that freedom? Westboro Baptist Church is taking advantage of that freedom. There are lots of people around the world who are either exiled for voicing something which their government didn't agree with, or too terrified, even in their own homes, to voice their thoughts for fear of what may happen to them. I don't agree with the message that WBC propagates, I think it is directly and significantly harmful to the peace and well-being of both individuals and the community as a whole. But they have the freedom in this country to voice their opinions (whether what they have to say is a violation of human rights, or even if it should in fact be defined as peaceful simply because they are not physically attacking someone, is an issue for discussion). So the question is, what do you think about what the WBC says? How do you think it impacts the students at the schools they picket, or the congregation at the churches they picket, or the mourners at the funerals they picket? What is the impact for others in our cities who may share the WBC's sentiments? If you believe that the United States has fought for justice and liberty, is it not spitting in the face of soldiers and human rights activists when you let the responsibility to ensure those things in your home pass by?


Peace does not just happen inherently. Nor is it simply the absence of war. We have to dream it, hope for it, build it through our everyday interactions with everyone around us and sometimes with a bold statement against anyone or anything that threatens it. No act goes without consequence.

Complacency is the most dangerous threat to peace.

“Every generation of Americans needs to know that freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.” Pope John Paul II

Peace and Love in Colorado

It's come to my attention that the Westboro Baptist Church, a hate group, is planning to picket several locations in Colorado later this month. They like to proclaim that "God hates you" and target homosexuals and Jews in particular. Some think that ignoring the picketers is the best response because it doesn't give them the attention they apparently so desperately want. However, I am of the breed that thinks silence and inaction are unacceptable and send the message to both aggressors and victims that hateful actions are acceptable. Ultimately this is a question of dignity and respect: even if one does not agree with the choice another has made, harassment is not an appropriate response.

Here's the CO picket schedule:
April 22: Pomona High School in Arvada, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School in Boulder, Boulder Hillel, Chatauqua Community House in Boulder

April 23: Standley Lake High School in Broomfield, Denver Academy of Torah, Intermountain Jewish News/ADL in Denver, Jewish Mosaic in Denver, Mountain Range High School in Denver, Hebrew Educational Alliance in Denver, Comedy Works in Greenwood Village

April 24: Temple Sinai in Denver, Temple Emmanuel in Denver, Jewish Community Center in Denver, Exdo Event Center in Denver

I find it particularly distasteful that they would stand outside schools with messages of hate. So I'm looking for people who want to take a stand for love, acceptance, peace, tolerance, kindness, education, life, choice, and even a God who doesn't hate you and me. The only religious creed or political allegiance that matters here is one that says hateful acts are not ok.

I would like to reach out to each of the places on the list above with a show of support, and to join forces with any other groups that might want to stage counter-protests. Let me know if you'd like to join me, by doing some research to get connected and/or by participating in peaceful protest/standup/shout-out. I emphasize the PEACEFUL nature of our response, countering with messages of hate (eg "God Hates WBC") or violence only adds to their ranks. And, let's be creative! How might we demonstrate love and peace and acceptance?

You can read up on WBC here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church

Here's one organization that is fighting hate-crimes:
http://preview.niot.org/action-hub/local-lessons/three-guiding-principles-when-confronting-hate

And here's how one high school responded to WBC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEiwBCpiA0E

Stand with your community to make the statement that we won't let hate reside on our streets!

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." - Dalai Lama