The controversial Westboro Baptist Church fulfilled its pledge to protest outside Roosevelt High School on October 28th. More than 300 people gathered Monday afternoon outside Roosevelt High School to form a “Wall of Love,” with rainbow umbrellas and flags shielding students from anti-LGBTQ+ demonstrators representing what a civil rights watchdog has classified as a hate group. Supporters from Fresno’s LGBTQ+ community peacefully assembled at the corner of Tulare Street and Cedar Avenue to counter the presence of a small group of Westboro Baptist Church protesters. Many expressed they were there to protect Roosevelt students from the church’s hateful rhetoric. Organizers reported distributing all 200 rainbow umbrellas to attendees.
Fresno Unified Trustee Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas stated that Roosevelt High School is a welcoming and inclusive community and a safe environment for students. “They (protestors) know our community is love, and they chose to bring their hate to this. And that’s not acceptable. It’s not being accepted by the community,” Jonasson Rosas said. “This is a place where we all believe in equality, we all believe in freedoms, and we want to make sure that that message resounds loud and clear, and you can see some of that here today.”
The church’s three-member team, who arrived without much notice, remained about 25 minutes in Fresno on October 28th and around 15 minutes in Reedley on Oct. 31.
In Reedley, they were literally obscured by rainbow umbrellas as they moved along North Avenue across from the school.
Westboro conducted what they term “pickets” outside Roosevelt High School on Oct. 28. According to those present at both events, Fresno’s demonstration saw a significantly larger turnout than Reedley’s. However, a Westboro picketer commented that any coverage is beneficial to their cause.
LGBTQ Fresno created a fundraiser to raise $595 to purchase 200 rainbow umbrellas, within 48 hours the fundraiser raised 100% of the needed funds. As of writing the fundraiser had raised $2,190.00, all funds raised over $595 is being equally distributed between Parasol Patrol, as well as GSA network-affiliated clubs at Roosevelt High School and Reedley High School.
Read More at: GV Wire, GV Wire, KSEE 24, Mid Valley Times, Fresno Bee, ABC 30
