On March 6, 2009, Fred Waldron Phelps, Sr. will be coming to campus to preach a message of hate. Mr. Phelps is the leader of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. This “Church” is not affiliated with any religious group and is considered by many to be a cult. Mr. Phelps and his congregation preach a message that the gay community is the cause of all of the world’s problems. Along with being anti-gay, he is known for being Anti-Semitic, and to protesting at the funerals of US soldiers because he believes that they have died as gods punishment for the US not killing homosexuals.
The message that Fred Phelps is coming to deliver is a powerful one of hate, but we as a University can unite to protest his message and share in a day of peace, just as when we were visited by another anti-gay speaker, Jim Deferio, last fall. Many people came out to the podium that day to support the Pride Alliance and our allies I our “Stop the Hate” campaign.
We, the UA Pride Alliance along with many of our allies, are planning a non-violent protest to Phelps’s presence on our campus. This time it is even more pressing that everyone stay calm and non reactive to his display, as he is likely to bring children with him.
We will be holding extra office hours this week from 9 until 10pm (campus center 333) for anyone who wishes to learn more about this event. Again, we need your support and appreciate your help in standing up against hate.
