On Fri, Nov. 14, Alameda High School students will be performing a production of The Laramie Project which was originally going to be picketed by Fred Phelps of the "God Hates Fags" group.
They were trying to get as many people there to show support for the students and hopefully act as a buffer against the kids being further traumatized by that group's despicable tactics.
Apparently the Westboro Baptist Church has canceled their appearance in order to protest in Hawaii instead. Word has it that a candlelight vigil in support of the students will still occur. They are asking people to arrive around 6-6:15 PM. Alameda High is located at 2201 Encinal Ave, Alameda, CA 94501.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Support Alameda H.S. Students on Laramie Project
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25 comments:
Thanks for posting this. We'll be there.
Can't leave work in SF til 6 - but I'll do my best! Sending others as well...
The most effective counter to Phelps is humor. This nutjob protested the funerals of soldiers just to get attention.
Anyone got a "God hates shrimp!" sign?
Thanks for those of you who will show up to protest this menace. "God Hates Shrimp" God Also Hates Figs too ;)
I loved the group that dressed up like pirates when Phelps was in town and you could see that Ol' Fred was not too amused ...now that was priceless.
After Alameda, Freddie and his Dreamers are intending to head north to Canada to picket the same play in Vancouver.
We're trying to stop them dead at the border (and I personally don't care how anyone interprets the word, "dead").
I have a "God Hates FRED" sign all made up and ready...
I wish I could be there. I'm surprised he's not coming to protest the 100 Years of Queer Theatre that I'm working on at Theatre Rhinoceros, too. Or The Rocky Horror Show...
Phelps, I suggest you not even waste your time picketing our wonderful high school in Alameda. In the classic words of that great musical, Hairspray, "You can't stop the motion in the ocean or the sun in the sky." We're here to STAY!
They're also going to be at a UVA production, a friend of mine plans to dress her kid as a lobster for the event.
According to someone on the Bay Area Bi Network list, the address here is the front of the school, the theater is around the corner at 2200 Central, Alameda.
The Alameda Police Department has confirmed the Westboro Baptist Church WILL NOT be at Alameda High School on Friday, 11/14/08. Please pass this information on the the local and regional LGBT communities.
Thanks, Captain Brock
Alameda Police Department
The website of the Westboro Baptist Church continues to say they will be at this event.
Was just about to post the same thing. If not every Wesboro follower gets the memo, one has to believe some will check the website and show up anyhow.
I just confirmed with Captain Brock myself. He said WBC will not be protesting; they're all heading to Hawaii instead.
Begin a pledge drive. $.50/WBC member/hour they stay, all to be donated to some LGBT organization in the area.
Is that so, anonymous? Because when we called at exactly the same time you posted your comment, he wasn't in.
Still waiting for a return phone call.
I'll wait for artemis to confirm or deny, I am skeptical as the website still says it is on.
Well, I haven't heard back directly, but it seems that the folks over at the Island have. Here is the link:
http://theislandofalameda.blogspot.com/2008/11/fred-phelps-and-group-to-skip-alameda.html
Sorry. That link didn't post. Please go check out
http://theislandofalameda.blogspot.com/
An anonymous posting by a police "captain" with no first name or contact info??? We're supposed to believe this?
I just telephoned Capt. Brock of the Alameda Police department directly. This is the official word:
According to the Phelps', they are *NOT* coming to Alameda, but instead are going directly to Hawaii to protest at the funeral of President Elect Obama's grandmother.
Captain Brock took this all very seriously, making numerous phone calls to the Topeka Kansas police dept and the Westboro Baptist Church itself. He also met with local Alameda LGBT groups.
Captain Brock assured me there will be a police presence tomorrow night and that they are also organizing a candle-light vigil in support of the students, the local LGBT community and Matthew Shepherd.
Hope this helps. If you have any other specific questions I can answer, just let me know.
Thank you Artemis I edited the post. It seems there will still be a police presence and their will be a vigil in support of the students instead? So people will still be going correct?
Yes, I just received an e-mail from the organizers, Million Gay March, and they ARE going to be there REGARDLESS. If no Phelps, then there will be a candlelight vigil in support of the students, Matthew, and all whom the Phelps group has harmed. That way, even if this is a ruse, we'll be there anyway, so COME AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE KIDS!
As far as I know, people are still going.
My thought is, come to support the students, who are doing a phenomenal job, come in remembrance of Matthew Shephard, come in support of the community.
And while we're there, why not actually see the show? The performance starts at 7:30. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students.
There is no indication on the WBC online picket schedule that there has been a cancellation. Best to show up, if not just to support the production.
there is just something about the sudden change in plans, that i do not agree with.
what some people do not know, including the alameda police, is that the hate group (as i will not dignify them with any correct noun) has several groups going to several different places on the same day. the protest in hawaii was planned in advance and not as a stand in for the alameda protest. from what i have seen and read, they are still anticipating going to a.h.s. and making fools of themselves in front of children (not adults that know how to stand up for themselves, but children that are only guilty of performing in their drama department). i have no patience for these people and would never dignify them by attending however, i will be there tonight to support my children's schoolmates.
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