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W W W JUSTOU T C O M
JUNE tt. 2010
RYAN J
N W NEW S
June 3. Instead, more than 500 students,
teachers, activists and concerned citizens
gathered in front of the Northeast Portland
school in a moving show of solidarity against
the Topeka, Kan.-based hate group.
The W BC picketers were scheduled from
7:35 to 8:05 a.m., but according to reports on
the scene, the group showed up around 7 a.m.
with a party of approximately 7 members, and
departed after 20 minutes.
W hat they faced upon their arrival were
hundreds of counter-protesters singing songs,
holding randomly phrased signs— “God Hates
Figs,” “This is Gay!” and “God Loves Lamp,”
among many others— and demonstrating that
W B C ’s messages of hate would be met with
ones o f love. In fact, most in attendance re
ported never even seeing the W BC picketers.
“W hy do you have signs that don’t make
sense?” a male student was asked by an
onlooker.
“Because the Westboro Baptist Church
doesn’t make sense,” he replied with a smile.
Volunteers strolled the sidewalks with cof
fee cans reading “Phelps-a-thon,” the purpose
of which was to garner donations for G rant’s
Gay-Straight Alliance. About 150-200 stu
dents participated in a school-sanctioned,
student-only assembly on the steps of the au
ditorium, but most of the student body, along
with students from other schools, remained
out where the action was.
The perimeter of the school was roped oif,
while Grant faculty members observed the scene
unfold, even after the first bells had rung. Stu
dents stayed active on the sidewalks until about
8:30 a.m., when the crowds began to disperse. A
large police presence kept the scene tidy.
A similar scene took place Tuesday, June 1
in Vancouver, Wash, at Heritage High School,
where W BC members also picketed. Vancou
ver newspaper The Columbian reported 400-
500 people in unified counter-protest there,
despite the wishes of the school district for
counter-protesters to stay away.
This was the last o f a weeklong picket
ing schedule for W BC. From May 28 to 30,
the group targeted Congregation Ahavath
Achim, Havurah Shalom, Congregation
Neveh Shalom, M ittleman Jewish Com m u
nity Center, Congregation Beth Israel, City
Bible Church, Church of St. Michael the
Archangel Catholic and New Hope C om
munity Church, stopping to picket for less
than a half-hour at each location.
- Ryan J. Prado
A G ay* in the Park to
Bring E ugene LGBTQ
Com m unity O ut to
W ashington Jefferson
Park
In its inaugural event, Que Productions,
LLC— a new Eugene-based LGBTQ_events
group— is presenting a day of field games,
dancing, live music, theater, artisans, artists,
crafters, food and more during A Gay* in the
Park. The event will be held Saturday, June 19
at Washington Jefferson Park (located under
the Jefferson Street bridge, between First and
Third Avenues and Washington and Jefferson
Streets.)
A wide range o f family fun is planned be
ginning at 11 a.m. with highlights like a D unk
Tank, “Pie the Queen” activities for the grown
ups and table puzzles, hula hoops, bocce ball,
toss games and more for the kids. The City of
Eugene Recreation Services will be organizing
team field games beginning at 4 p.m.
At noon, the entertainm ent lineup kicks
off with Eugene’s countrified quintet the
W hiskey Chasers and will segue into sets by
Pegasissy, the Brick Underground Theatre
Project, Stephan Nance, Swamp Mama Kaz,
and the rock-reggae stylings o f Paradigm.
Food will be covered via local carts like
Viva Vegetarian Grill, Pacific Grill, Devour,
and vegan, gluten-free pies from Piety. The
coffee bar provided by Rock Java should hold
you over until the event after-party at The
Green Olive (1675 Franklin Blvd.) at 9 p.m.
The park is alcohol-free, and organizers
have asked those who can bike, bus or car-
pool to do so, as parking is very limited. If
you must drive, volunteers will be positioned
around the park with signs directing you to
available parking spaces.
A Gay* in the Park runs from 11 a.m. to 6
p.m. A $6 donation is asked for those ages 10
and over, though no one will be turned away
for lack o f funds.
For more information, visit agayinthepark.
com. A Gay* in the Park is not affiliated with Eu
gene Pride, which takes place from noon to 7 p. m.
August 14 at Alton Baker Park. For more infor
mation on Eugene Pride, visit eugenepride.org.
—Ryan J. Prado
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