The point is that you don't have to dress as an angel to show support but that there are certain guidelines to follow in order to show respect and solidarity.
Westboro Church Counter Protest: The Plan
February 21, 2009 by
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protester-071805
If you plan on Counter protesting the slim that plans to be in Clarence this weekend (Westboro Church), here is what you need to know via the organizers at UB Freethinkers:
First, we've been receiving emails here at UB Freethinkers about the actual "Angel Action" with angel costumes, and I just wanted to pass along the contact for that, as this whole event is involving numerous different groups, of which we are but one:
If you would like to take part in the actual "Angel Action" with angel costumes, please contact Céilí Maolán at ceallach@sensiblediscussio
n.com. Her group is organizing that facet of the counter-protest, to include making the costumes for a cost of $12 to cover materials.
Her Facebook event pages are here:
hp?eid=131407335253
As an avowedly secular humanist student group, UB Freethinkers is not organizing angel costumes ourselves. However, we are asking everyone involved in the event to WEAR WHITE if possible and use WHITE sheets and signs, in the spirit of solidarity with all of the groups involved.
FOR THOSE OF US FROM UB AND ELSEWHERE, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
-Those who need a ride from UB, we will be meeting in the Student Union lobby at 8:30am on Sunday morning, organizing car pools, and departing shortly thereafter.
-For those of you with already full cars, or departing from elsewhere around Buffalo, we plan to meet at approxim ately 9-9:15 in the parking lot of the elementary school at 9600 Clarence Center. PLEASE DO NOT PARK AT THE CHURCH ITSELF.
-The designated protest area for the morning event, setup by the police in Clarence, is at the corner of Clarence Center and Goodrich. We will make our way there from the elementary school at 9-9:15ish - stragglers please make your way there.
-For those at UB who can only make the afternoon event at St. Joseph's and need a ride, The Spectrum is organizing people to depart North Campus from there, so go to their office at 132 Student Union at approximately 12:15. St. Joseph's is right across from UB South, so the Stampede is always an option too.
-We have made a discussion topic for drivers and passengers on the Facebook page. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO CARPOOL as parking may become scarce. This event has become much larger than anticipated!
-Out of respect for the families, please dress somewhat appropriately. Out of respect for yourself, DRESS WARM. The high is expected to be around 25. If at all possible, please make an effort to WEAR WHITE. If not, that's fine.
-If you have the burning desire to make a sign or write on your sheets/banners, please make an effort to have it be on a white background, with subdued, primary-color text, and with a simple message in support of the victims, their families, and the community, NOT A MESSAGE AGAINST THE WBC OR THEIR TACTICS. Don't give them anything to work with that could start an argument. Our presence is enough to silently make those statements.
-If you are using bed-sheets for anything, make sure to cut small horizontal slits into them so that they don't become sails. Also, reinforce the edges of the cuts with tape so that they don't tear further. We all know how windy it can be in this town.
-We've also decided to encourage people to BRING AMERICAN FLAGS AS WELL. They cover space, look awesome in large groups, and are a subtle thorn in the side of the WBC, who regularly demonstrate by stomping on flags and incessantly protesting at the funerals of service men and women who have died serving under our flag.
NOTES ON THE WBC:
-The WBC revels in starting arguments. Upon doing so, they will scream scripture at you, among other lovely things. This would be an unnecessary disruption in a somber environment. Let the WBC be obnoxious and distasteful.
-When protesting the WBC in person, ignoring them is the best option.
-The WBC is an avowedly non-violent organization. Sweet of them, I know. They will not physically hurt you. If by some chance they touch you, there will be plenty of cops nearby eager to take them away.
-The WBC will be carrying incredibly hateful signs and yelling incredibly hateful things. Do not be shocked by anything you see or hear.
-The WBC may have brought young children with them, who will do everything listed above just the same as the adults. Again, do not be shocked by anything you see or hear.
-The WBC likes law-suits. They have made money that way in the past, which they use to fund trips around the country. Don't give them a reason to sue.
SOME GROUND RULES, which I will reiterate:
-THIS COUNTER-PROTEST IS INTENDED TO BE PEACEFUL, NON-VIOLENT, and NON-CONFRONTATIONAL. We are there to show our support to the community, and passively do our best to block the WBC picketers from view.
-We are there to show support for the community and victim's families, NOT TO ATTACK, ARGUE WITH, PROTEST DIRECTLY AGAINST, INTIMIDATE, OR CHASE/SCARE OFF THE WBC. They are as free to be there as we are.
-DO NOT SPEAK TO THE WBC PICKETERS
-IF YOU ACCIDENTLY DO, DO NOT CONTINUE TALKING WITH OR START ARGUING WITH THE WBC PICKETERS
-DO NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH THE WBC PICKETERS
-DO NOT TOUCH, PUSH, SPIT AT, OR BREATHE ON THE WBC PICKETERS
-FACE AWAY FROM THE WBC PICKETERS
-DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE WBC PICKETERS IN ANY WAY
-IGNORE THE WBC PICKETERS!!!- DO NOT TRY TO YELL OVER THE WBC PICKETERS. Silence and presence is our power. Hopefully our bodies, banners, and signs work well to muffle their yelling
-DO NOT DISPLAY SIGNS WITH ANY MESSAGES AGAINST THE WBC OR THEIR TACTICS. Don't give them anything to work with to foster an argument. Our presence is enough.
-DON'T DO ANYTHING THAT COULD POSSIBLY GIVE THE WBC A REASON TO SUE YOU OR ANYONE ELSE
-DO NOT BRING WEAPONS, THINGS THAT LOOK LIKE WEAPONS, THINGS THAT COULD BE OBVIOUSLY MISTAKEN FOR WEAPONS, DOGS, OR DOGS ARMED WITH WEAPONS
-DON'T GIVE THE POLICE A REASON TO DETAIN YOU, OR MAYBE EVEN TAZE YOU BRO. The law must be enforced uniformly, even if we are the good guys.
-RESPECT AND OBEY THE POLICE AND ALL POSTED SIGNS. The police are on our side here. Treat them well and they will be able to stay th at way.
Finally, If you plan on doing anything that violates these rules OR common sense, either abandon those plans immediately OR DON'T SHOW UP. We don't want to cause any undue disruption or look like animals ourselves. This is about supporting the community and the families, and making a firm statement that this hateful intrusion is not welcome in Buffalo, and will be soundly, overwhelmingly, AND PEACEFULLY confronted.
This is all we have for now, information will be updated as necessary over the weekend. PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION so everyone is on the same page. Feel free to send all questions to UBFreethinkers@gmail.com.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Thought WNYMedia.net strongly supports this event or activity, we are not involved in planning, or promoting this event or activity. We reported it originally because the mainstream media (until tonight) has failed to inform the public that this scum will be in our community and feel that the people of Clarence and the victims families have the right to know what they could potentially be up against.
It was reported that you guys outnumbered Freddy 100 to 3. Way to go!
Well looks like it has all ready started somewhat. I hope it goes well and that the shielding works and that nothing happens to make this wind up on the National News. Even though I have nothing to do with it. I want to pass a thank you out to everyone who is doing the counter protest thing, I think it will keep the moment what it should be for the people who lost people to the crash.
I'm sure you'll be posting on what happened??
Hope the event goes well for you and all the silent protesters!
I hope this event goes by peacefully - no one deserves violence and disrespect.