Five ways to counter-protest Westboro Baptist Church

Five ways to counter-protest Westboro Baptist Church
Jamie Hyman
Jamie Hyman

The putrid dumpster fire known as Westboro Baptist Church is coming to Orlando to picket the funerals of victims of the Pulse massacre. That really, really sucks.

Here are 5 things you can do about it RIGHT NOW.

1. Ignore them.
I know, I know, I know, but hear me out. Attention is the hate group’s most valuable currency, by far.

Lauren Drain is a former WBC member who wrote a memoir titled “Banished: Surviving My Years in the Westboro Baptist Church.” It is the most enlightening look at the inner workings of Westboro I have ever read. Here’s a key quote:

“The Washington crowd that day reacted strongly to us, which reinforced our sense of success. The more enraged they became, the more we felt we were making our message known. If they had thought we were just a bunch of crazies, they would have simply ignored us, but their heated interest in us obviously meant that our words were making an impact. We were delivering the message of the Holy Ghost, making us superior and perhaps even omniscient. In a sea of heathens, we were the messengers.”

Any time you give this hate group any attention at all, you help them move toward their demented goals.

So maybe just respond with absolute silence. Don’t share articles about them or counter-protest or give them any thoughts or voice at all. Just go about your day, maybe do something extra, something beautiful and kind.

(I realized the existence of this article, by definition, defies suggestion #1. Dilemmas suck.)

2. Block them.
Counter-protestors have successfully neutralized the impact of Westboro’s past protests by forming a wall of angel wings, American flags or even human bodies. This is effective for two reasons. One, it dilutes the images of their signs when they are inevitably covered by media. Two, it can block the cruel, hateful demonstration from grieving loved ones at funerals.

3. Campaign against them.
In 2012, President Obama signed a law limiting the types of disgusting protests that are Westboro’s calling card at military funerals.

Why, I ask you, can’t we do this for ALL funerals?

Contact your representative and ask them to make it happen. It only take a few minutes and will feel sooooo good.

4. Monetize them.
Turning a Westboro protest into a fundraiser is a good idea, but if you really want to stick it to the Phelps, make sure you do the follow-through.

First, publicly raise funds for a cause the hate group would despise. The obvious choice for the Orlando protest is any pro-LGBT organization, but I like the idea of including our Hispanic community in this. Maybe two buckets, two causes, let the donor choose? No matter, the key is once the fundraiser is over, donate the funds in Westboro’s name and then the kicker: Send them a thank you note expressing gratitude for their generous donation to your chosen progressive cause.

5. Counter-act them.
This is probably the least sexy suggestion, but arguably the most effective.

Simply strive to live your life in any way that defies the preachings of Westboro. Don’t give in to hate speech or bigoted words. Be kind and inclusive and tolerant, even when it isn’t easy, even when people aren’t looking. LGBTs are some of Westboro’s favorite targets, because of the population’s vulnerability. Do what you can to support the LGBT community, whether it’s political (pushing for anti-discrimination laws that protect LGBTs) or personal (volunteering at an LGBT organization).

Even reaching out to a gay person and letting them know they are loved and appreciated is a small gesture that flies in the face of the sick message Westboro is trying to spread.

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