Some 400 students and their supporters, some waving big rainbow flags and feisty signs, such as, "God hates sexually repressed hillbillies," overwhelmingly outnumbered the handful of Westboro Baptist Church members who picketed Santa Monica High School Monday morning to spread an anti-gay message.
The six picketers from Westboro Baptist Church, a fundamentalist group known for protesting military funerals, stood on the opposite side of Pico Boulevard with American flags and strongly worded posters of their own: "Fags doom nations" and "God hates fag enablers."
Though colorful, the picket and the response it drew from the Samohi community were peaceful. About 25 Santa Monica Police officers patrolled the street and neighborhoods near the high school campus.
Westboro has said it wanted to tell students "the Gospel truth," that "every adult in their lives has taught them that they can disobey God... that it is OK to be gay." Westboro says it opposes "the homosexual lifestyle of soul-damning, nation-destroying filth."
Freshman Gigi Lewis said she didn't want to miss the school's response to the picket, and though she expected a big turn-out, was surprised by the throng of counter-protesters. Among them were a group of students from New Roads School.
"I didn't think they would line all of Pico Boulevard," Lewis said.
The protests culminated with resounding cheers from the Samohi students when the six Westboro members retreated about 45 minutes into their picket.
"We made the trip primarily for the Oscars," Margie Phelps of Topeka, KS, the oldest daughter of Pastor Fred Phelps, said while picketing this weekend at Malibu churches.
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Oy vey, what has become of civil public discourse? Mr. Resmer, why are you engaging in the same rhetoric as the Westboro types? Stop the hate! on both sides of the issue!
And the fact you spew hatred toward those you perceive are being haters is comical. Only on the left does hypocrisy abound as prevalent as it does. God doesn't hate anyone and He forgives all that ask if its in their heart to seek redemption and not continue to live the same lies and evil deeds. Brenda seems to be the same as you. Using hatred to justify intolerance of hatred. And its you and your bottomless pit of talent on the networks who you agree with. When you guys actually 'get it' on issues facing our country, then please enter the debate. But the hypocrisy, the intolerance, the avoidance of facts, the absence of truth, and the actual lies from the left along with its revisionist historical accounts of events that didn't transpire remotely close to what you claim just warrants not discussing with leftists. Both sides are massively screwed up and 99% should all be replaced but comments like you make are just ludicrous and stifle debate. Arthur - agreed! God bless you all!
He was right - the worst of the worst xtians in the south -who see Obama as a nightmare come true , took over the south. For them the frosting was Nixons southern strategy in I think 1972 the repub party is a party that much of which hates blacks, and gays. Some, even the leader of first baptist church in dallas (tim tebow affair) hates Jews also. Now the repubs and hteir spim machine - Faux news are essentially patological liars Heres an example - the BS about OBAMA not being an American citizen was two fold One is the obvious citizenship issue the other was tocall attention to his african roots - subliminal messages appealing to the much of the south that is still fighting the civil war
And Stewart I thought you were a "Steve" my bad.... And why is the Supreme Court hearing a case about Obama's eligibility and citizenship
But here some good points about repubs over the course of history that most democrats actually believe they achieved first... http://m.townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2013/02/26/20-of-the-greatest-moments-in-the-history-of-the-republican-party-n1520352?utm_source=thdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl. Just the real facts ma'am..also it should be acknowledged that lbj knew he couldnt get civil rights passed unless it was crafted and written by who, republicans. Al Gore Sr and willy fulbright jr (clintons self professed hero) filibustered the legislation bc they hated bkacks. Did they turn repub after nixons so called southern strategy? The lamest argumemt for dems to manipulate the minds of blacks. If they took a few minutes to actually learn history rather than be brainwashed by people like you our world would be a vastly different place Saul Alinksy.
Republicans, Libertarians, Democrats, I don't care what your party affiliation is as long as it does not denigrate and try to destroy the life of another. Go Vikings Go!
That is the whole exhaustive list. That pathetic party should get about 1% of the vote -- since they work for the interests of 1% of the population (though not even for their long-term biological interest. Pleeeeease, fleeee the GOP !!!
Some of the 'anti-protesters' had signs that said "God hates people who say they know who God hates". This is fighting hatred with hatred and intolerance with intolerance. None of us know exactly how God feels about any topic (other than children). So why does one party or the other always claim to know what God thinks? And when it comes to things like Obamacare why do democrats always ask "What would Jesus say" when in fact Jesus had an apostle who was a doctor and I can't find anywhere we He forcefully made Luke care for people. So how does a democrat know that Jesus would force one person to pay for the healthcare of another? This is off topic but it bleeds into the entire narrative we are witness to now.
This all has to do with DOMA and Prop 8 coming up in March. While some people chastise them for changing their stance on marriage equality, it should be looked upon as them gaining more understanding of LGBT relationships. We are no different in our relationships and commitments.
Before that, people engaged in all kinds of sexual arrangements, with diverse and deleterious consequences. Indeed, marriage should have remained a private matter. The government should never have gotten involved in marriage in the first place.
http://www.thefrontpageonline.com/articles1-12410/GOPHistoryIsRepleteWithSupportofBlackIdeals I am tired of Democratic leaders distorting the true story.
I have been legally married in California for going on 5 years (together for 12 years) now and I would like to know how my marriage to my wife has impacted your life? If you consider that gay relationships are just "sexual arrangements" you are way off base.