Members of the Westboro Baptist Church (shown here) spread their message of intolerance at a funeral for an American Soldier.
Chris Love and others have had enough of Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church. That's why Love and friends are organizing a peaceful demonstration outside of the church. The protest is scheduled in Kansas on March 30, 2008 at 11 AM CST.
The Westboro Baptist Church, based in Topeka, KS, 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.
The name of the demonstration has sparked controversy but is definitely getting attention. The organizers have dubbed the event The Million Fag March in response to the Westboro Baptist Church's use of the derogatory term. The name has stirred debate among some who object to the use of the derogatory term in the title of the protest.
“A million people may be aiming a little high, but we’re hoping for a large turnout,” said Love, one of the March’s organizers. “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.”
When asked 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 homosexual and heterosexual people together for a united cause. In Kansas, no less.”
To find out more about the protest, visit www.millionfagmarch.com or contact organizer Chris Love at 785.783.4730
Special Thanks to Mark Strait and www.onanite.blogspot.com for bringing this story to our attention
3 comments:
I sure hope they get a huge turnout and all is calm with no violence. It is hard though when someone is calling you a fag and saying you are going to hell.
Onanite
Mark, I am for a peaceful demonstration against these hate mongers. But I wonder about the name of the march. Don't we want to get away from these derogatory and demeaning names? Doesn't this serve to perpetuate that horrible name? Can we call it a Human Rights March or something more dignified? It almost seems like we are stooping to the same level as the Phelps and his hateful church.
Allen
Allen
We used to be called " Queers then we started (the gay community) to use the name ourselves, and we gained control of it.
Mark
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