Hundreds protest anti-gay, anti-Jewish group's arrival
6:01 PM Fri, May 29, 2009 | Permalink
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EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- More than 300 East Providence High School students crammed a busy city corner Friday afternoon to show their opposition to a small Kansas church group publicizing their anti-gay, anti-Jew message across the street. Another 100 or so former students and Rhode Island residents, also opposed to the five picketers from Westboro Baptist Church, occupied a third corner of Pawtucket and Taunton avenues. Carrying multiple epithet-laden picket signs, the Westboro group planned to demonstrate in other locations in Rhode Island Friday and Saturday. Later in the day, they drew more than 100 counter-protestors at the State House and Temple Emanu-El. In East Providence, Lonnie Barham, a retired Army colonel and the school district's chief operating officer said, "This is what I spent 42 years in the military to protect -- their right and the kids' right to demonstrate... I'm very proud of our students." A heavy police presence kept the groups on their respective street corners. No incidents were reported and the Kansas group left 40 minutes after it arrived. Before the Kansans arrived, many local Jewish leaders and gay and lesbian advocacy groups discussed how to respond to the group's arrival. Among other responses, a group of organizations chose to raise money for the state's high school and college Gay Straight Alliances. An e-mail signed by 36 groups said the fundraiser would "demonstrate that the forces of hatred can be denied and converted to good." 
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You've played right into their hands. To confront them is to recognize their existence and indirectly to honor them. Those fools can claim to be Christians while their public claims prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that they are anything but emissaries of the "Prince of Peace". When you line up to confront these charlatans you bring out the TV cameras and give them exactly the stage that they want.
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They were going to get attention anyway, regardless of whether anyone came out to counter-protest. Never, NEVER, stop protesting people like these b/c then they become familiar, even accepted, by the general society.
Hate must be confronted at every turn!
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Proud to be a Townie. I agree with Don that to acknowledge them is to empower them to some degree, but the showing of all the students at the HS to voice their opposition to the WBC, can be just as empowering for the students.
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you may be right, but I don't see a mention of local Christian groups denouncing this kind of thing. churches turned out in force at the State House to oppose the right of same sex couples to legally marry, but when this man comes into our state spewing hate in the name of their Lord and Savior they are silent. Or are they? Christians who were there today, and Christians who are disgusted by this distortion of your faith--now is the time to stand up and be counted.
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Also proud to be a Townie.I agree with Jackson. We must continuously fight hatred, oppression, and bias, by standing up and being counted. Our presence is necessary at these rallies as a show of solidarity against those that spread hate and discontent. We must teach our children by example that these things are not acceptable in our society and we will not tolerate them. We need to show the hate-mongers that their message is not welcome in our town, or any other town for that matter.
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Thumbs up to these kids for getting out there and standing up to the Westboro Baptist "church". Fred Phelps has no business calling himself a pastor and these people are a disgrace to all who practice Christianity. Also thumbs up Lonnie Barham who I served with in the RI Army National Guard. Like him, I also served for this very reason.
It does disappont me thought that these maggots from Westboro infested this state. May they go away and STAY AWAY!
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What was probably the saddest thing was what I saw on the Channel 12 news. It showed a young boy, no more than 11 or 12, holding a sign over his head that said "Pray for more dead soldiers". That is someone that was taught hate at such an early age, there's very little hope of that type of brainwashing being overcome.
I really think Fred Phelps is the devil incarnate.
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Townie Pride is high today! As an EP alum, a Christian who supports freedom of religion and gay marriage, and as a citizen- I am proud of these students for standing up for what they believe AND for doing it in an appropriate manner.
MC Class of 91
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I totally disagree with Don. These people already have made a name for themselves. They travel from state to state and city to city, often picketing in front of schools and community centers tormenting people whom are not experienced in organizing themselves to stand-up for what they believe in. This cannot be tolerated!!!!
I applaud those that stood up to have their voice heard against bigotry.
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Statement Concerning the Presence of the Westboro Baptist Church from Topeka Kansas
“As representatives of the religious community in Rhode Island, we are offended by the local demonstrations of the Westboro Baptist Church from Topeka Kansas and we strongly reject their bigoted and inflammatory language. Their harmful rhetoric is completely contrary to the faith traditions we represent. We stand in solidarity with and prayerful support of all those who are targets of the Westboro campaign.
We will pray for the members of the Westboro Baptist Church from Topeka Kansas - that God will change their hearts and correct their harmful ways. We stand together in longing for the day when all people can work for the common good with harmony and mutual understanding, and without any trace of bitterness, anger and hate. “
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Young people need to know that they have a voice and can stand up for what they believe in whether it is seen as right or wrong. Making them aware of what is going on around them helps to create young people who will be more active and affect change.
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It's great to see those kids out there standing against hate. I hope they might develop a sense of justice better than previous generations.
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