"God hates fags" Westboro Baptist Church protest comes to Napa, Sat, Apr 4: BREAKING NEWS

[9am Update: counter-protest plans are linked below.
10:30am Update: counter-protest plans for Angwin have been canceled so that we are not bringing attention to the group and to give mourners the respect they deserve. Plans for Napa are still on, but changing rapidly as organizers figure out the best tactic.
12:25pm Update: all counter-protests have been canceled other options remain below.]

I'm not sure of how or why, but the Westboro Baptist Church will be coming through town with their parade of hateful signs and craziness tomorrow, Saturday, April 4th.

They're not targeting specifically gay things in town, however. Best guesses are that they are bringing their special brand of empathy to protest the memorials for the Montana plane crash victims.

On their tour agenda is:

• Angwin's Pacific Union College Church from 3:15p - 4p
  "Pacific Union College Church - You Eat Your Children! 10 Angwin Ave What you deep-dyed, murderous, libidinous, filthy God-hating perverts need is a fresh, correct perspective, to wit: How gracious is God to have delivered these little children from the hands of this murdering man and other family members who were merely preparing them to EAT THEM?! That is the correct perspective. We will picket outside on the sidewalk in proximity to the squall fest/worship service for this family of baby killing swine. You read that correctly, and here is the Bible support for it: Isaiah 66:1 ¶ Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? 2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. 3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog?s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine?s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. 4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. These well-to-do violent BRUTES chose to delight, and get rich off of violating a very simple four-word Commandment of God Almighty: Ex 20:13 Thou shalt not kill. Now God has dealt justly and righteously with them, and you want to try to make them out like THEY are the victims? Any who take part in this abomination called being in any way upset by these deaths are like those who would take a dog or a pig and slaughter it in the middle of the street and say they are serving God. AMEN!"
  
  and
  
  
• Napa's St. John the Baptist Catholic Church from 6-7p
  St. John the Baptist Catholic Church - God H8s LIARS! 960 Caymus St. "Big, HUGE TROUBLE" - that is what this pedophile rape-enabling dog kennel is in. We will picket you for your lies, filth and hatred for your neighbour and God. How dare you try in any way, shape or form to rope John Baptist into your filth. Like everything else about God, and the Bible you lie, lie, lie. You cannot even blush, you are so hardened and evil. Jeremiah 6:15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 8:12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. AMEN and STOP RAPING THE BABIES!
  

Quotes and schedule are from their horrible (almost laughable?) website.

A counter-protest was being planned for the Westboro pickets, but plans have been changed and ALL COUNTER PROTESTS HAVE BEEN CANCELED as we take into account that we DO NOT WANT TO BRING ATTENTION TO THEIR CAUSE. Here's what Napa's Join the Impact is encouraging:

* Do not yell at or respond to the WBC protesters. They seem to enjoy the confrontation. Don’t give in to it.
* Please be praying for us or sending positive energy our way.
* Forward this email to your friends.

The police don't think there will be more than 4 or 5 people from the Westboro Church with their horrible pickets. Father Gordon at St. John's feels the most effective response is to ignore the protesters and I tend to agree to an extent. They are CRAVING attention, and a counter-protest and/or media attention brings them exactly what they want. I don't think I could stand by without doing anything though, either. Additionally, bringing people's attention to this kind of crazy hate might be good for the equality cause...

Here's what I think: if the Napa Unity League can get together a letter in support of love and equality and get a coalition of gay and other progressive groups to sign on in support, we can send that to the media, also stating that we are not taking the Westboro group serious enough to stage a counter-protest nor are we going to bring them more attention.

For those that absolutely don't want to leave their protest unchecked, how about we show up at St. John's and stage a silent, peaceful vigil of prayer and good will. No signs, no politics, just postive presence. Your thoughts?

Ideas on how best to respond without giving them the attention they want?

Thanks to Izzy for the heads up on this news.