Demonstration of ‘love’ counters Westboro Baptist Church protest against Fresno LGBTQ+ students
Fresno Bee/October 28, 2024
By Maria G. Ortiz-Briones
More than 100 people gathered Monday afternoon outside Roosevelt High School to build a “Wall of Love” with rainbow umbrellas and flags shielding students from anti-LGBTQ+ protesters representing what one civil rights watchdog has labeled as a hate group.
The crowd of supporters from Fresno’s LGBTQ+ community peacefully demonstrated at the corner of Tulare Street and Cedar Avenue to counter the presence of a small group of Westboro Baptist Church protesters. Many said they were there to protect Roosevelt students from the church’s hateful message.
For Roosevelt High School senior Mairany Cordova, the crowd of people who showed up to counter-demonstrate against Westboro Baptist Church’s protesters meant students had the support of a “strong community” to fight against hate.
“We’re all uniting as one, as a community, especially such a small, little place, and everybody coming together and showing that they (Westboro Baptist Church) can’t take control of us,” said Cordova, 17, who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
“We want to show the kids that there is love around them, and besides all of the ugly messaging that’s trying to be thrust at them, that they are supported, that they’re loved, and there’s place for them to be themselves,” said Valeria Rodriguez coordinator for Fresno EOC LGBTQ Resource Center.
Three people from the Westboro Baptist Church, which the Southern Poverty Law Center has described as “arguably the most obnoxious and rabid hate group in America,” showed up with signs to protest outside the high school.
Shirley Phelps-Roper of the Westboro Baptist Church, along with two others, traveled from Topeka, Kansas, to Fresno to express their belief that the nation’s rejection of God’s commandments and standards is causing the nation’s destruction.
When asked why they chose to protest at Roosevelt High School, Phelps-Roper said the school represents all schools that teach children to reject God and disobey his standard.
Roosevelt High School is not the only high school in the Valley that is being targeted by Westboro Baptist Church. Its protesters plan to show up outside Reedley High School on Thursday morning before school.
Cordova said it “was kind of crazy” to learn that Westboro Baptist Church was targeting her school.
“We all have our own religious and our own beliefs, but we’re still here as one and supporting each other and making sure that we all have support system,” Cordova said.
Roosevelt students organized to create posters and message boards with inclusive and positive words that were displayed around the school’s metal fence.
Fresno Unified Trustee Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas said Roosevelt High School is a welcoming and inclusive community and a safe environment for students.
“They (protestors) know our community is love, and they chose to bring their hate to this. And that’s not acceptable. It’s not being accepted by the community,” Jonasson Rosas said. “This is a place where we all believe in equality, we all believe in freedoms, and we want to make sure that that message resounds loud and clear, and you can see some of that here today.”
Community advocate Jennifer Cruz said she was pleased to see the community turn out to support students against Westboro protesters.
“We are here as a shield between their hateful public preaching and our students,” Cruz said.
“I think we need to lock arms and ultimately banish the hate that is being present in Fresno,” said Joseph Aquino, an LGBTQ community member and candidate for district’s Roosevelt area seat on the school board. “I just wanted to echo that no hate is allowed in our school districts.”
Lady Diana Feliz Oliva, founder and CEO of Casita Feliz Latine LGBTQ Center in Fresno, was among the more than 100 people who showed up to the peaceful demonstration. She said it was important to show “our support and unity and our allyship to the students.”
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