Westboro at UCF

More than one hundred people showed up in front of the UCF Arena July 15 to counter-protest a visit from the Topeka-based hate group, Westboro Baptist Church.

The controversial anti-gay group made a brief stop at UCF after picketing the NAACP national convention earlier in the morning near Sea World.

At around 9:30am, six Westboro picketers arrived in front of the arena sporting their notorious anti-gay signage.

The small group, which included three children, was quickly surrounded by a crowd of mostly UCF students. The counter-protesters came decked out with signs, rainbows and their own posters challenging Westboro’s message of hate.

Poster slogans included “God Hates Fangs,” “A Life of Hate Creates Its Own Hell” and “Honk for Westboro to Go Home.” Some were humorous, others more serious.

Westboro had announced earlier this month through a press release that they planned to picket at UCF from 9:15-9:45am at one of the campus’ free speech zones. Students used social media to organize the counter-protest.

The Westboro picketers arrived about fifteen minutes late which left some initially thinking the group might not show up. Campus police and administrators were on hand to maintain the peace.

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