As most of you know, the Westboro Baptist Church is planning on picketing in Blacksburg on April 9th. They are protesting the unthinkable: April 16.
I will never forget my freshman year when they threatened to protest the funerals of the victims, and a radio host gave them airtime to prevent them from something I cannot even comprehend. April 16, as we all know, was a day that changed us as a university. It was a day that will always be with us, and to explain what some of us felt on this day cannot be adequately explained with words. It is hard to understand how people carry so much hatred for others. It is sad to know that there are still people in this world who refuse to stand for peace and coexist with whom they deem as 'different'. How people can be so evil is something that may never be understood. These people live for publicity, and it is sickening to know that they are so well versed in the law. Unfortunately, knowing this, when they picket funerals, they are protected under law.
Now, I am writing because I am requesting your attendance on Saturday, March 27 at 2 p.m. in Owens Dining Hall to discuss how to respond to the Westboro Baptist Church’s protest of April 16. I have read a lot of e-mails about ideas of holding funny signs, such as “Don’t inflate flags,” “Renew your tags,” or “I have a sign!” However, other students do not want to respond at all, which is definitely a possibility. My concern is that some community members will be coerced into seeing their protest. They claim that they will be in high traffic areas — on the church's Web site it says they will be going to North Main and East Roanoke Street, Blacksburg High School, and the Blacksburg Jewish Community Center.
On Saturday, we will be discussing what our collective response will be. It is important that we work together to ensure no one sees them, and everyone works toward the same goal. Also, if we decide to protest their protest, I feel that we need to have a concrete plan that everyone understands. It is important to note that this rally will be very emotional, but please do not touch the protesters or do anything harmful. They may record everything and pursue legal action. Again, I cannot stress the importance of working as one — One Hokies United. For individually, we are weak, as the student body we are strong, and as a university, we are powerful. I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.
Brandon Carroll
SGA president