AS most of you know, the Westboro Baptist Church is a hate group masquerading as a church. They are widely known for their provocative slogan "God hates fags" and for their protests at soldiers funerals. Without getting into too much detail on their insane ideologies, they blame almost every disaster, both natural and man made, on sin, specifically homosexuality and fornication.
You are probably equally aware of the April 16, 2007 shooting on the Virginia Tech campus. A psychologically ill student grabbed a gun and killed 32 students and teachers and then turned the gun on himself. indiemcemopants wrote a great diary the other day about it.
On April 9th the Westboro Baptist Church is coming to Blacksburg to protest about the April 16th shootings.
God sent the shooter because of your proud sin! You raise your kids to believe they can disobey God with impunity, and that His commandments are all on the table to be disposed of whenever you please. That's why they think fornication, adultery, and sodomy are all just in good fun (instead of the filthy practices they are), and that's why the wrath of God is on them. God is cursing you by killing those same children that you have lied to all their lives. VA Tech was just GodSmacked -- another of your students murdered -- and you still refuse to heed and obey the standards of God. Woe unto you! "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness...!" Isa. 5:20. You're going to Hell, and you're taking your kids with you
The above quote comes from the WBC website (no link, it may be just a rumor, but I'm told that advertisers pay them by the page view on their website.)
The other student murdered refers to Morgan Harrington who went missing in October until her remains were found in January.
It goes without saying how much pain Morgan's friends and family along with those of the 32 killed in 2007 went through. The WBC now has the sheer audacity to try to make it worse and as a VT student that is unforgivable. That's without even mentioning the bigotry and hate associated with the protest.
The day I found out about the planned protest reminded me how much I love my school. Within minutes, there were a half dozen facebook events and groups. A website is already up about the event. The next weekend there was a meeting to discuss protest options and plans. Not a single student I've talked to has a single good thing to say about the WBC and everyone seems willing to help send them home. This is truly a student body that binds together in times of trouble and we all have each others' backs. Ultra-conservative friends (I use the term loosely) are on the same side as the LGBTA and the Young Democrats in this case. It's quite amazing how a common enemy brings everyone together.
Most of the plans right now are to counter-protest the group with sarcasm and humor in an effort to diffuse the situation. Basically we're going to surround the protesters with signs like "I have a sign!" and "Where are the donuts?" In addition, some people have suggested donating to the LGBTA, Hillelor AIDS prevention in the WBC's name. You can't counter hate with more hate, it will just encourage them, instead we want to counter it with humor and assistance to the victims.
If you're in the area and you want to join the counter-protest, the schedule (from their website) is:
From 1:00-1:30 N. Main St. & E. Roanoke St. (SW Corner). AND from 2:15-2:45 Blacksburg High School 520 Patrick Henry Dr. AND from 3:00-3:30 Blacksburg JCC/Hillel at Virginia Tech 201 Roanoke St. E
Remember when counter-protesting, NO VIOLENCE! I won't comment on whether or not they deserve it, but they have lawyers and they will press charges. There is no shame in walking away to calm down for a period of time. These people make everyone angry and it's better to catch your breath than to waste it shouting. Remember the goal is to diffuse the situation, they thrive on controversy so don't give them any.
I'll leave you with a picture of the April 16th memorial, 32 hokie stones to memorialize the 32 victims. I'll post another diary afterwards with a recap and hopefully some pictures.