Laramie Project & Phelps Protest

[bluerendezvous]

My DS15 is (as I write) performing in The Laramie Project at Biloxi Little Theater. My DH and I had absolutely no reservations about his participation in this play until his director warned us about "Rev." Fred Phelps. The director told us that there was a possibility that this so-called reverend is known for picketing this play. Our attitude was, "So what, who cares about a picket?"
We have now been notified that "Rev." Phelps picket schedule includes Biloxi Little Theater on Saturday night. Of course, I had to Google and find the website. OMG!!! What a vile, evil man!!!! Now I'm concerned about my son's safety. My question is:

Have any of you had any experience with this horrible group of people?
How did you handle it if you did?

I would post links, but even the website name is vile.

 

[imabrat]

No, I haven't had any experience with this "church". Someone help me if I do, I will not be able to restrain myself.

I sincerely hope that this "church" and their "reverend" have to spend eternity with those they doomed to Hell. That is all I can say without losing my temper and using words that will get me banned.

to your family and everyone involved with this theatre. The Laramie Project is emotionally moving, I can't imagine what it would be like to act it out.
I'm praying your son and everyone at the theatre remains safe.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I've had several experiences with this group sadly.

They aren't voilent but they try to incite violence if that makes sense. Chances are there will not be but a few of them there. I've very seldom seen the group turn out in big numbers anymore. I will warn you that there will be young children there holding up signs that will shock you. I have a picture of a child holding up a sign that says "thank god for IEDs."

My recommendation on how to handle it: IGNORE IT. Tell everyone you know to go see the project on that night. Tell them to not speak or look at the picketers. If you know anyone planning a counter demonstartion, tell them it's not worth it. Have them go inside and watch the show or go do something useful.

This group has the right and will spew their hate everywhere. Everytime we give them a response or reaction, we encourage more andmore of their behavior. We have stopped any reactions to them here and they have not been around in months. Hopefully we won't see them again here.

I hope it goes well for you. I know how painful it will be to see the hatred but do not let them get the upper hand on you. Easier said than done, I certainly know this.

 

[freckles and boo]

Obviously Tina has first hand knowledge. I just know what I have read, which includes that they do indeed try to get reactions with the hope of suing to bankroll further "protests". Several of this group are attorneys and they are litigious. As good as it might feel to pop one of them in the head with a frying pan, don't give them any reason to sue.

 

[Forevryoung]

I have had first hand experience as well.

The University of Maryland College Park performed The Laramie Project my freshman year. We had the "pleasure" of the picketing during homecoming weekend and throughout the fall semester.

We all wore buttons that said "Hate is NOT a UMD value."

I would not worry too much about his safety. We had no issues in that regard and it was a fairly peaceful situation although emotions were running high.

 

[bluerendezvous]

Thanks to all of you for your encouraging words. I'm sorry that any of you had to be subjected to their vile spew. I do feel better about his participation. I'm positive that he'll learn a deep lesson about life on Saturday.

Again, thanks a million!

 

[Deb in IA]

Sadly, we have had multiple encounters with this despicable group.

They are based in Topeka, Kansas, so being relative close to Iowa, we have had more than our share of Fred Phelps.

They too have come to our town to "protest" the play "The Laramie Project" when our local community theater did this show. While in town, they also decided to picket our church, since the Episcopal Church's welcoming position of the GLBT community is well known. They were there for our Palm Sunday procession, when our daughter was serving as Crucifer.

Since this tactic doesn't get them the response they are craving much these days, they hav also resorted to making appearances at the funerals for fallen soldiers, and other tragic deaths, all to further inflame people and draw attention to themselves. Most recently, they came to Iowa City to protest the funerals of a family of six, whose father was in legal difficulties and killed his wife and 4 adopted children, before taking his own life in a deliberate car accident. Why did they protest this one? Their claim is that God is "punishing" Iowa/the USA for the tolerance of gays in our society.


These are not stupid people - hateful, but not stupid. They are mostly immediate family members of Fred Phelps, many of them went to law school and are lawyers. They will try to provoke altercations to claim that their First Ammendment rights were violated and they will sue.

The only way to handle them is to ignore them.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I have family in Topeka, so I have heard quite a bit about Fred. He is truly, truly evil. And as someone else mentioned, HEAVILY represented by legal counsel. If you attempt to oppose them they are always ready to sue. Ignoring them seems to be the best plan of action.

 

[nataliela]

I'm agreeing with what everyone else has already said

They will not touch anyone, but hope that someone else touches them. The daughter is a lawyer and they are sue happy.

They came to my college about 4 years ago protesting a gay straight alliance. We could not hear their chanting because the students were chanting football chants over theirs.

Your stomach will turn when you see what they do, but you have to remember that in their mind they think its ok to spit and step on the American flag....yes, the flag that is giving them their freedom to do the stuff they are doing. They have kids out their with them, its so disgusting...

Deb is right, they are not stupid....actually very intelligent, but a little whacko if you ask me!!!




Just tell your son to keep his head up and know that he is doing nothing wrong!

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

They were in Des Moines, I believe, picketing a production of "The Laramie Project". I agree with everyone else, IGNORE them. They will try to get people angry enough to incite violence against themselves, and then sue. That is their whole game. They are idiots and I feel sorry for them that they are so lost and hiding their own failures behind a title such as "Reverend". They obviously do not worship the same God as I do.

 

[barkley]

when i did a production a year ago this month our theatre group had taken the precaution to pre-notify the local police of the potential for phelps crew to show up. we were not so much worried about what the phelp's people would do as what could happen with angry respondants to their protests (phelp's people know the law chapter and verse and do not do anything that can endanger them arrest wise-unfortunatly those they 'set off' with their vileness are prone to prosecution).

it's too bad you could'nt get a group of your own "angel action" together saturday night to do exactly as romaine and her friends did to phelps in laramie.

 

[Camicar]

Yes, I do have experience with these minions of the devil. They picketed a church at which I worked and a church I attended for no apparent reason.

They are vile and repellent. However, they will not touch you. And whatever you do, do not give them what they want -- a reaction of any kind. The best thing you can do is to give them what they do not want -- dignified silence.

 

[jack hannah bananah]

They were in Des Moines, I believe, picketing a production of "The Laramie Project". I agree with everyone else, IGNORE them. They will try to get people angry enough to incite violence against themselves, and then sue. That is their whole game. They are idiots and I feel sorry for them that they are so lost and hiding their own failures behind a title such as "Reverend". They obviously do not worship the same God as I do.

These people give Christianity a bad name.
This is what God meant when he gave the Commandment:
Thou shall not take the Lord's name in vain.

They are particularly despicable when they show up at funerals.
God Bless all of you who posted who are serving our country or who have loved ones serving.