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