
WASHINGTON — Hundreds of students, educators and community members have turned out for a counter-protest against the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church at a District of Columbia high school.
Westboro targeted Wilson High School for a protest over the school’s annual Pride Day event. About a dozen representatives of the Kansas-based church picketed near the school on Monday morning. The church claims that tolerance of homosexuality invokes the wrath of God.
Wilson principal Pete Cahall announced to students that he is gay last week during its Pride Day festivities. Cahall says the students “should be proud of themselves” for the turnout Monday morning.
Westboro member Rachel Hockenbarger called Cahall’s coming out “shameful.” The protest was one of several that Westboro had planned in Washington on Monday.
Following is a quick video of Principal Cahall leading the counter-protest waving a pride flag (courtesy WRC-TV) and additional photos are here.
Wilson High school principal waves rainbow flag as hundreds rally against anti gay Westboro Baptist church pic.twitter.com/QxNk5BE4Th
— Armando Trull (@trulldc) June 9, 2014
Thank you @MurielBowser for coming out to support the Wilson GSA in our counter protest! #Tigers4Love pic.twitter.com/2pwsbYXsYH
— Wilson GSA-DC (@WilsonGSA_DC) June 9, 2014
Support for gay principal and LGBTQ students at Wilson High school in face of Westboro Baptist protest pic.twitter.com/jSe9C4rsFE
— Armando Trull (@trulldc) June 9, 2014
Pro LGBTQ students counter protest Westboro Baptist Church at Wilson High School pic.twitter.com/ObbT0x35nX
— Armando Trull (@trulldc) June 9, 2014
Wilson LGBTQ supporters say NO to Westboro Baptist Church anti gay protest pic.twitter.com/ffuOWK6Gx3
— Armando Trull (@trulldc) June 9, 2014
Nearly a thousand people rally against anti gay Westboro Baptist church at Wilson High pic.twitter.com/MKsTkA9CbK
— Armando Trull (@trulldc) June 9, 2014
I'm not a religious man, but yeah: pic.twitter.com/MD0w5Kk0m0
— Martin Austermuhle (@maustermuhle) June 9, 2014
Blasphemy! pic.twitter.com/91pZ4hR6GA
— Martin Austermuhle (@maustermuhle) June 9, 2014