Bigotry and hatred is always hard to stomach, especially when it’s directed at you. Trying to reason with people who hate you because you exist, breathe air, live, and love is a losing proposition; trying to shout them down is a waste of time. They’re not listening. Sending a message louder than theirs to the wider world, however, is time very well spent.
On July 31, I noted here that the Phelps family was coming to Chicago to picket at my synagogue, Congregation Emanuel. The word was out, among congregants, the local Edgewater Community Religious Association, and among the gay-lesbian community.
I’m pleased and proud to report that about 400 people came to Sheridan and Thorndale on the North Side this morning under threatening skies to counter the bilious voices of ... five Phelpses. Read what happened, and how to help heap some poetic justice on these meshugges after the jump.
Updated with new turnout total: We got 400!
A grand total of five – count ‘em, five – people showed up to represent hate: three adults and two (egad!) children. They stood on the west side of Sheridan Road for about 30 minutes, holding signs accusing us of killing our messiah, stealing land, announcing God hates us and fags, and accusing Obama of being the anti-Christ.
On our side of the street were approximately 400 men, women and children of all ages, sizes, creeds and colors, to stand up for community and tolerance; at least one of whom wondered aloud, "If God hates Jews, why did He give them the Ten Commandments?"
There was Andrew Mondt, a gay, German-born gentleman whose father was a G.I. who stayed in Germany after his tour was over, and whose maternal grandfather fought in the Wehrmacht on the Eastern Front, and survived being a Soviet prisoner of war. "Anti-Semitism is very personal for me. If it was 50 below, I’d be out here today," he said. "When I heard about this, I certainly intended to be here. It’s vital. ... I can’t be angry any more. I’m tired of being angry. Doing this is better."
There was Greg Sabetta, a minister at the Edgebrook United Church of Christ who said, as he held aloft an Israeli flag: "Whenever there is the opportunity to protest against ignorance, I’m there. It’s not about Christianity or Judaism as much as someone protesting a faith community; you have to stand up against that."
There were local politicians from aldermen to state representatives and senators (rather brave of them to appear in public for any event these days, considering what a mess the General Assembly and Gov. Quinn – not to mention former Gov. Shit-for-Brains – have made of Illinois’ finances). State Rep. Greg Harris, an openly gay legislator representing a chunk of the North Side, who noted dryly that the Phelpses aren’t strangers to him, summed up the spirit that carried the day: "An attack on one group is an attack on the whole neighborhood."
And that is how our side responded. People sang songs from Jewish hymns to "Amazing Grace," "The Star Spangled Banner," "America," "We Shall Overcome," and "This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land." Personally, I thought we should’ve included a slightly modified version of Kansas’ "Dust in the Wind":
Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea
All you do crumbles to the ground though you refuse to see
Dust in the wind, all you are is dust in the wind...
People in cars passing by honked and waved Vs at us. A CTA bus driver honked in support. Two guys on Harleys kept circling the block, pulling into the curb lane and revving their hogs in front of the Phelps phreaks. Even the Chicago police – who were civil and respectful of everyone – were amused at the lopsided crowd and result. Once their 30 minutes were up, the Phelps five piled into a white van and drove off to their next target.
The counter-demonstration, like all where the Phelpses spew their vile views, is completely and utterly necessary. Not because we’re going to change their minds (at least not the adults), but because it shows the rest of the community that hate is not tolerated here. It shows those wondering what all the fuss is about that a tolerant, heterogeneous community is the mainstream.
But once they move on, how do we keep hurting the message of a Fred Phelps and those like him? By supporting those whom they attack. I noted on Friday that Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, a gay synagogue in Manhattan, used its visit from Phelps to raise $10,000. I asked then, and am asking again, please do likewise here.
Whether it’s $1, $5, or $10 per minute of their half-hour eruption, or whatever you care to give, please send some Send some (tax-deductible) gelt to Congregation Emanuel, 5959 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL, 60660, ATTN: Sarabeth Salzman. Please write "protest" on the memo line.
Unfortunately, the synagogue can’t take online donations, but if you prefer to use a credit card, call the office, (773) 561-5173, Mondays-Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Here's a brief slideshow of the morning's event. More photos are available here.
Thank you to everyone who turned out to support trust, tolerance, and true American values.
The last word, I leave to Emanuel’s Rabbi Michael Zedek.
"It’s always unfortunate that this sort of thing happens," he said, pointing across the street.
"But it’s a wonderful thing when this happens," he added with a sweep of his arm toward our crowd. "There are a lot of people do didn’t have to come here today."