community-based, non-corporate, participatory media
community-based, non-corporate, participatory media
Phelps Group Met by Counter-Protest at Mr. Rogers Memorial Service
by Evan W.
Saturday, May. 03, 2003 at 4:06 PM
Rev. Fred Phelps was a no-show in Pittsburgh, today, though his supporters showed-up downtown, and were met by resistance from a large contingent of counter-protestors and Mr. Rogers fans.
On Saturday, May 3rd, the much maligned Reverend Fred Phelps made the wise decision not to show his face in Pittsburgh. He had planned to protest the life of Mr. Rogers at a memorial service, but was nowhere to be seen. However, Phelps did send his family and church members to do his dirty work. As might be expected, the Phelps group was met by a large group of counter-protestors who did not want to hear Phelps' message of hate and intolerance, especially when directed at the much loved Mr. Rogers.
The Phelps group was encountered right at the memorial service at Heinz Hall, in downtown Pittsburgh. Counter-protestors attempted to surround the small group, but were ordered to move by police who claimed they were blocking the sidewalk.
There were about 150-200 counter-protestors, and less than 10 protestors in Phelps' entourage. The Phelps group, members of the Westboro Baptist Church, reportedly had signs such as "Thank God for 9-11," "Aids Cures Fags," and "Mr. Rogers: Burn in Hell."
Surrounding the Phelps supporters were members of the Pittsburgh Organizing Group, holding a wall made of bedsheets which read "Rock On Mr. Rogers." Large signs with characters from the neighborhood of make believe were also present, some designed by people working with the Rosenberg Institute for Peace and Justice. Other groups participating in the counter-protest include the Lesbian Avengers and RESYST.
The Phelps crew was follwed by counter-protestors to Post-Gazette offices, and there are rumors a kiss-in is planned for later today at Chatham College.
santorum v. phelps
by David
Saturday, May. 03, 2003 at 7:23 PM
a question for queer community and our supporters:
how is it 10x as many show up to protest phelps as compared to santrorum?
i'm not dissing the phelps demo -- but santorum arguably poses a far greater threat to queer liberation than phelps does.
could it be that whoever organized the phelps thing has a real talent for organizing?
Day of the week
by Dan P.
Saturday, May. 03, 2003 at 7:34 PM
This isn't a fair comparison. The Phelps protest was on a Saturday.
A lot of us have school and/or work and unfortunately do not get may day off. (We are talking about the may day protest, yes?)
Exactly
by Sam
Saturday, May. 03, 2003 at 8:39 PM
The fact that the Santorum demo was on a weekdays was a problem for me, too (and I would guess a lot of people).
oops...
by David
Saturday, May. 03, 2003 at 9:42 PM
right. sorry guys, i wasn't thinking straight.
come to think of it, i never think straight....
Phelps
by Theo
Sunday, May. 04, 2003 at 11:05 AM
TheoK444@aol.com
Same here about work. I wasn't able to make the Mr. Rogers memorial either, but that was because i'm trying to cram those 80 hours of community service in all weekend, every weekend. grrrrrrrrr
pictures
by gwen
Tuesday, May. 06, 2003 at 2:25 AM
Full set (including two from the benefit yard sale earlier in the day) are at:
http://digital.gw3n.com/May3/
The Phelps gang:
Rock On Rogers banner:
Money raised by protestings (I think the last total was $4680):
A larger view of the area:
whoever made the black sign...
by wheatpaster
Tuesday, May. 06, 2003 at 3:37 PM
...The small black sign that said: "Santorum's Agenda --->" in white lettering ruled. Making their signs OUR signs is a fantastic counter-protest tactic. Of course, standing in front of them with the "Rock On Rogers" wall and blocking them out entirely also had its moments. Great job to Kristen and Rosenberg Institute for the wonderful Make-Believe characters! Too bad the police continuously discouraged us from blocking the hatemongers out. Oh well, it was a huge success. Great job to all!!
Mr Rogers...what?!
by Emmy Em
Monday, May. 12, 2003 at 7:33 PM
Ok, I must have missed this memo, but could someone please clarify why the Phelps people are opposed (to say the least) to Mr. Rogers. I am very puzzled on this fact. Maybe I just missed something very obvious...but I still don't get it. And if those people throwing a fit over whatever it is he did, grew up watching his show, and listened to him talking about respecting other peoples' differences, this whole issue would be moot.
nothing to do with rogers
by jason
Monday, May. 12, 2003 at 9:29 PM
Ok, I must have missed this memo, but could someone please clarify why the Phelps people are opposed (to say the least) to Mr. Rogers.
Phelps doesn't actually care about Mr. Rogers, he's just looking for publicity. His "church" protests at the funeral/memorial of anyone who is/was famous, whether or not they were gay. In Mr. Rogers case it helps that Fred Rogers' church is tolerent of homosexuals.
re:
by Kim
Saturday, May. 17, 2003 at 11:25 AM
kicst5@pitt.edu
I talked in depth with some of the folks from the WBC and their point is that Mr. Rogers was in a position to publicly condemn homosexuality, but he didn't, so he's gonna burn for all eternity... He's burning right along side Matthew Shepherd.
There were 2 female teenagers that I spoke with and their point was that you can't know God's Love unless you know his hate. And their protesting is an act of love because they're trying to save the souls of homosexuals. I spoke to an older woman, who was 50, and I had much better luck actually talking WITH her. I think it's imp. to remember there is a lot of brainwashing that goes on here. I don't think that any of us are honoring Mr. Rogers if we counter their hate with hate. The leaders of the wbc take advantage of their members fears and morality , and then use that to fuel their own little fucked up apocalyptic way of thinking.
check out their press release: http://www.godhatesfags.com
straight from phelps mouth
by Kim
Saturday, May. 17, 2003 at 11:40 AM
kicst5@pitt.edu
here's an interview with phelps about the protest
http://www.blacktable.com/daulerio030401.htm
anyone still have the link for the press releases, the one against chatam was one of the funniest things I've ever read.
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