Westboro Baptist Church Protesters Defeated by Student's Peaceful Protest

Students across America have decided to stand up and speak out against hate. Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church has initiated protests at funerals, schools and Jewish institutions to spread the word of hate. Signs that support WBC and Fred Phelps agenda read, "Fags Die God Laughs", "God Hates Fags", "America is Doomed", "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" and "Priest Rape Boys". Fred Phelps church breeds hate with signs such as this. His church is based in Topeka, Kansas and it is monitored as a hate-group by the Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center. Phelps has protested military funerals, gay pride gatherings, school districts where gay, lesbian, and transgender students are accepted and has also protested Christian gatherings in order to warn others of God's anger.

Well, Students across America are sick of the hate that is being spewed forth by the Westboro Baptist Church. They have decided to fight back but without the hate. In Palo Alto, CA the students of Gunn High School received word that the WBC would be protesting their school for being accepting of the LBGT community. When the students got wind of it, there first thought was to empty the school and then the WBC would be protesting a barren school. But then the students got together and decided they were going to put on their own protest. A peaceful, non-violent protest with music. Over 500 students turned out to counter protest the WBC group of protesters. Students held signs that read, "God is Love", "The highest result of education is tolerance.- Helen Keller", "Love is Free", "Love Thy Neighbor", and "Love is Love". Students also sang songs with voiced raised in peaceful harmony. Among the songs sung at the protest were "This little light of mine" and "Lean on me".

Video of Gunn High School's Peaceful Protest

Students at Drake University were also on WBC's docket to be protested. Drake University students decided to follow the lead of Gunn High School and defeated the protesters of the Westboro Baptist Church with song. A peaceful protest with the students singing music created by The Beatles was held for 35 minutes before the WBC protesters decided to leave. 6 of the churches members showed up on campus carrying the hate filled signs they are known for and were met with over 500 students, faculty, and community members bearing signs and messages of love. Students sang, "All you need is love" by the Beatles and other songs by the famous band to drown out the jeers and hate filled messages the WBC spewed at them. The students drowned out the WBC protesters and filled the air with the sound of love and music. You can view the Drake University Protest here.

Other schools, churches and institutions are organizing peaceful protests against Fred Phelps church. Visit, Not In Our Town to map the movement against hate.