FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A Baptist church from Kansas said it will protest against the LGBTQ community during protests set for the end of October in the Central Valley.
Both Reedley and Fresno have been listed by the Westboro Baptist Church as sites for their upcoming protests.
Westboro Baptist plans to protest in Fresno near Roosevelt High School after class on Oct. 28th, and then at Reedley High School before classes on Halloween, Oct. 31st.
The Southern Poverty Law Center in Alabama lists the church from Topeka as an extremist group.
The group is basically a family-based cult of personality built around its patriarch, Fred Phelps. Typified by its slogan, “God Hates F—,” WBC is known for its harsh anti-gay beliefs and the crude signs its members carry at their frequent protests.
–The Southern Poverty Law Center
LGBTQ Fresno said it would also hold counter rallies. They posted on their website: “Together, we can drown out hate with a message of love and acceptance.”
Westboro Baptist Church Counter-Protest Dates:
Roosevelt High School in Fresno October 28, 2024 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Reedley High School in Reedley October 31, 2024 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM.
In response to their planned visit, a coalition of local LGBTQ+ organizations and allies are coming together to stand against their message of intolerance. The coalition’s counter-protest aims to promote unity, love, and acceptance for all. Through peaceful demonstration, the LGBTQ+ community and supporters will stand in solidarity, sending a clear message: hate has no place here.
Advocates will hold parasols to show unity toward the LGBTQ community. Parasol Patrols have held similar efforts in other cities that Westboro Baptist Church has targeted. LGBTQ Fresno plans to do the same.
They posted fundraising to collect parasols on their Facebook page:
LGBTQ Fresno is holding a parasol drive to hold umbrellas in front of any hate signage. All excess funds are being donated to Parasol Patrol and the Roosevelt and Reedley GSA affiliated clubs.
The Westboro Baptist Church is coming to OUR cities, bringing messages of hate and division. But together, we can stand up for love, inclusion, and equality. For just $10, you can sponsor a rainbow parasol that will be used to shield our youth from their harmful rhetoric.
They posted: We are almost to our goal of purchasing 200 parasols! Please donate if you are able and/or share with others, thank you!
Thank you to all donors and supporters! All funds raised after $595 are being donated equally between Parasol Patrol, as well as GSA network-affiliated clubs at Roosevelt High School and Reedley High School. Your donation will help us spread positivity and protect our city from hate—one parasol at a time.
On Tuesday, the City of Reedley responded to the announcement of the protest against the LGBTQ community in the city, sending an email with the following press release:
The City of Reedley received a fax, dated October 3, 2024, from Phelps-Chartered, Attorneys-At-Law in Topeka, Kansas, announcing that the Westboro Baptist Church intends to conduct a public demonstration and outdoor religious service in front of Reedley High School on October 31, 2024 from 7:30 am to 8:00 am. The intent, as stated in the letter, is to have a public demonstration “regarding the judgment of God with respect to the dangers of promoting homosexuality, same-sex marriage, and the filthy manner of life and idol worshipping of this nation.”
Westboro Baptist Church, called “arguably the most obnoxious and rabid hate group in America” by the Southern Poverty Law Center, is exercising their constitutional right to free speech and peaceable assembly.
City Manager Nicole Zieba stated, “We do not know why Reedley was chosen as a site for their demonstration. Reedley is a diverse community that respects one another, honors one another, and treats one another with dignity. As City employees, however, we have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution which guarantees them their right to free speech, regardless of how incendiary and divisive we may personally find their message. In that respect, the Police Department will be on hand to ensure a peaceful demonstration.”
The Reedley Police Department is working closely with Kings Canyon Unified School District personnel to ensure safety for students and parents.
All demonstrators are urged to respect all local ordinances and traffic laws, especially those regarding the interference with pedestrians on a sidewalk or unlawfully entering or blocking a roadway.
The Police Department will deploy personnel in front of Reedley High school on the date of the planned event to help ensure the public’s safety.
The Fresno Unified School District also says it plans to protect students and staff and released a statement:
This event is not at all affiliated with our school and has not been planned in collaboration with Fresno Unified. It will take place outside of school hours. The PD traffic division and special event division are aware of the event, and we are working closely with them to implement additional safety measures as needed. Our priority is to ensure that our students are not affected as they leave school.
-Fresno Unified School District
