Amanda Moore: Westboro Baptist Church V. Ft. Meade

This morning members of the Westboro Baptist Church clashed against hundreds of counter-protesters at Fort Meade High School.

“This is crazy!” said Meade High school alumni Tamara Withers. “I was definitely expecting people but not like this; there are hundreds of people everywhere!”

The WBC is known for its anti-gay and anti-war protesting. They recently won a battle with the Supreme Court for exercising their First Amendment Rights while picketing soldiers funerals. The church consisting of an estimated 80 members is in Topeka, Kan.

Hundreds of people gathered in support of the troops to protest against the WBC. Police swarmed the area of a local CVS where counter protesters stood outside in the parking lot across from the high school; they covered the streets, flew in helicopters and held back the crowds.

The WBC carried signs saying “God Hates America” and “God Hates Fags.”

Counter protesters made up of veterans, gays and lesbians, religious people dressed up as The Pope and Jesus, motorcyclists, and students all gathered to form a band against the WBC. They carried signs saying “I Love Soldiers I Love Gays I love God.” They dressed up and shouted at the five people who stood shouting striking words on the other side of a police guarded street.

Due to the police guarding the protests reporters were unable to speak to the WBC members.

“God hates fags and their enablers; thus, God hates America and America is Doomed as in her destruction is imminent,” said the WBC in a press release. “God will never again bless this nation; she will have only curses all the time. Come out from among her and DO NOT PARTAKE OF HER SINS! Repent and obey TODAY!”

“I lived at this base for six years,” said counter-protestor Melissa Gray. “I have friends and family here and these people here presuming to know God and what he wants. God is about love.”

The WBC left after protesting for half an hour. The crowds of protesters left victoriously cheering, blasting music and uplifting one another.

“These people aren't serving [the country] at all,” said Gray. “They're going to exile themselves eventually. Were here to support the troops.”

Those five people caused hundreds of people to come out to carry signs, dress up and shout back in defense. Police swarmed the area; they flew in helicopters, stood on every street corner, conducted piles of traffic and blocked the street between the WBC and counter-protesters.

For people who say that "God hates the media," they sure do use the media all they can. Without us, there would be no mass hysteria. Frankly, I wouldn't know who they were. They are making their own image and using things like Press Releases to make their presence known. This was not a note left on a doorstep this was a release sent out BY THEM to gain media attention and let their cause be heard.

Without Media they would be nowhere but standing on an empty street corner by themselves getting quarters tossed into their coffee. Without soldiers fighting for their freedom they wouldn't have the luxury of speaking their minds.