Hundreds counter Phelps' anti-gay picketers at Shawnee Mission East

[Duncan Grant]

By JIM SULLINGER
The Kansas City Star

<snip>
Westboro church members believe that God is punishing America for tolerating homosexuality. They have drawn harsh criticism across the nation for picketing at funerals of servicemen and servicewomen.

Their message didn’t sit well with many students at the high school where, according to student Jake Davidson, there is a Gay and Straight Alliance at the school and students elected a homecoming king in 2007 who was openly gay.

“Everyone is equal whether you’re gay or straight,” said Davidson, a 16-year-old junior from Leawood and an organizer of the student protest.

“It’s really cool that everyone wants to be involved and take a stand against this. It doesn’t surprise me that everyone wants to help out.”

He said word of the counterprotest ran through the school like wildfire.
<snip>


Protesters responded to picketing by members of the Westboro Baptist Church on Thursday outside Shawnee Mission East High School.

Edit: The Star added more photos

Hundreds of gay rights supporters, including many high school students, responded Thursday to picketing by 14 members of the Westboro Baptist Church outside Shawnee Mission East High School at 75th and Mission Road in Prairie Village.

More at The Kansas City Star.

I grew up in this part of the country (very nearly Phelps' own backyard). This does my jaded middle-aged heart so much good -- such a change from 25 years ago! I'm hopeful that the pace of change on LGBT issues will only gain momentum. :thumbsup:

[lamp_shade]

1. I lived in Chicago in the mid-70's. The Ku Klux Klan had obtained a permit to march

in some parade somewhere near Cicero (a BIG Mafia hub back then). The word went out (even in the papers) that it might not be a good idea, that there would be no cops, no willing witnesses, nuthin' if anybody got "hurt". They didn't march in that parade.

[KansDem]

2. This is my daughter's high school...

I'll have to ask her about this when I get home from work! :hi:

[Siwsan]

3. I was in an anti-Phelps protest, a couple of years, ago

They were supposed to show up to picket at the funeral service for a local Marine. A massive group of counter protestors showed up and filled the funeral home parking lot and all of the frontage, along the highway. The Phelps people parked across the street, in a Home Depot parking lot, which was where they planned on staging their protest, but Home Depot said to move their car or be arrested for tresspassing. Also, a number of the local fire departments and ambulance services showed up, and formed a visual barricade, to shield the family from having to see anything. In the end, the Phelps left without doing anything, but not before being slapped with a $10,000 bill, by the local police, for all of the extra security measures. Shirley Phelps was NOT a happy camper.

[chollybocker]

4. Kids these days. They don't take sh*t from no one. Love em.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. This makes my day

We forgive you Fred. The best.

[HurrahforHil]

6. I love their choice of words

Love is always stronger then hate

[Duncan Grant]

7. :kick:

:kick:

[mitchtv]

8. Great story

thanks for posting. It gives me hope.

[Neecy]

9. I live in Prairie Village, where this school is located

I can't tell you how overwhelmed I was to see this on the news yesterday - these are my neighbors, my community out there protesting Phelps and his oppressive hatred against gays and lesbians.

In Kansas.

Granted Phelps is so over the top that any decent person finds him repulsive, but this kind of response from suburban kids is really terrific.

[bluedawg12]

10. I have a lot of hope for the next gen, this is going to be a good crop!

K&R.