On Oct. 28, three members of the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC; in Topeka, Kan.), “arguably, the most obnoxious and rabid hate group in America,” according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, arrived at Roosevelt High School in Fresno to spread their message of hate. The WBC specializes in anti-gay vitriol, typified by their slogan, “God Hates F—s.” The group regularly tours the country and has said that “the deadly events of 9/11 were divine outpourings of retribution for America’s horrendous sodomite sins.”
The WBC members were confronted by several hundred counterprotesters. The protesters created a “wall of love” with several hundred rainbow-colored umbrellas, and it wasn’t long before the three church members left.
On Oct. 30, five or six members of the WBC arrived early at Reedley High School in Reedley. They arrived before school to harass students and wave their hateful signs. Again, they were greeted by more than a hundred counterprotesters with rainbow umbrellas, a “wall of love.” It was a lively and spirited counterprotest and the WBC group left within an hour.
The resounding message from Fresno and Reedley is that hate is not welcome here.
Brock Neeley, a community and civil rights advocate at the Reedley High counterprotest, had a copy of the U.S. Constitution, calling it the gay agenda (equal rights), and said that “the kids need to know that there are people out there that love them and accept them as they are.
“So there’s no need for them to try to attempt suicide. They do not have these issues because they’re gay. They have these issues because of the way society treats them.
“We’re fortunate here in California to have some kind of fighting back, but think about the other states. Trump has made gay and trans rights an issue. We have to fight back.
“There were about 350 people at Roosevelt High School in Fresno last week (protesting WBC). It’s great to see people here today at Reedley High.”
Jennifer Cruz, an advocate for the community and LGBTQ+ resource manager at the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, said, “I think [WBC] came to the Central Valley thinking it’s a conservative part of California, and they realized that their message of hate wasn’t welcome. I think we really showed up and showed the students that love and support.
“[Our] real agenda is to make sure that our teens from the LGBTQ+ community survive to adulthood. I heard that last month a 13-year-old from the school down the street took her own life. I heard that from someone today.”
Emily Burnias, a U.S. Navy veteran, said, “We are supposed to be protecting our youth, not attacking our youth. I heard that a youth has already committed suicide, and that’s one too many.
“We do not need to be coming here as adults and attacking young children. We are supposed to be molding young children, loving young children, guiding young children not attacking.
“This is the time of their youth when they’re supposed to be enjoying life, deciding what they’re going to do in their future. Instead of molding and guiding them, they’re attacking, telling them God hates them. Did you see those terrible signs?”
Ken Hudson, who drove down from Yokuts Valley to support the community, said, “I really wanted to support the LGBTQ+ students here at Reedley High School.
“My own son is trans female to male, and his high school experience was surprisingly very good—and no bullying. He was a student in Fresno at Edison High School. His (school) experience was good, but I wanted to come down and support the students here today.”
The Reedley counterprotest was lively and joyful. The community showed up to express solidarity and love. It was a true example of “Stop the Hate, Be the Love.”
