Remember the Westboro Baptist Church from Kansas? The folks who picket fallen soldier's funerals? The people who thank God for every soldier who dies because God is punishing America for tolerating Gay and Lesbian lifestyles? The people who hate Jews and blame them for the problems of the world? Check out the photos.
Yesterday several members of the church were in Denver to protest the National Allied Jewish Federation convention being held at the downtown Sheraton. They had some extra time on their hands and decided to picket East High. The school was notified on Friday. My boys, Louie J. and Charlie decided to call for a peaceful counter demonstration Monday at 7:00, school starts at 7:30. The message went out via social media. The kids decided to wear purple in support of fellow gay and lesbian students and bring only positive posters.
Big Louie, the kids and I showed up early before anyone else had gathered. Charlie was worried that no one would show. At 7:00 a.m. 6 Westboro Baptist Church members set up their boom boxes and played "We will, we will rock you" by Queen at the corner of 17th Ave. and Esplanade (one of 3 the main driveways to enter the high school). We thought it ironic they would play a song from an openly gay dead musician as their theme song. They'd wrapped themselves in the American flag, drug a Gay flag on the ground and held up "God Hates Fags", "God Hates Jews" and "Jews killed Jesus" signs. It didn't take long for the students to gather. Denver Police, DPS Security were present as were school administrators.
Soon hundreds of kids holding "God even loves you" and "God loves everyone" surrounded the church people. The kids sang songs and the school cheer. I actually teared up when I realized that Denver's East High School Angels overpowered the ugly hate with love. By 7:20 church members packed up their signs and boom boxes. They were planning to picket for 30 minutes. Hundreds of kids politely escorted them to their car.
Other high school mascots are Hawks, Trojans, Cougars, Devils, you name it but East High are the Angels. Westboro Baptist Church picked the perfect school to picket.
As the parent of two East kids, I am so proud of all 2300 students. From the kids all the way to the top administrators and principal, this was one very classy event. Melissa (Mom)
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