Michael McDermott/SPPS
Although the Westboro Baptist Church’s expected arrival in Blacksburg today has been publicized for the past three weeks, student leaders of counter-demonstrations have struggled to establish a unified plan.
Senior Jeff Chuang, a member of the Student Government Association House and the University Council, is one of the leaders of the student movement against the WBC’s presence.
“When I first found out (the WBC planned to come to Blacksburg), I was pissed,” Chuang said.
Chuang said he became involved with the student counter-protest response because he is against the WBC’s message. When he found out that many students were planning on actively protesting, he decided to take a leadership role to try to help others comply with the law.
“We thought it would be good for people who want that outlet (protesting) to make a positive outcome that made a difference,” he said.
Coordinating student efforts has not been entirely smooth, Chuang said.
He and Brandon Carroll, SGA president, initially partnered in the initiative to lead student counter-protests. The original intent was to stage a peaceful protest on Main Street, across from the members of the WBC.
“There’s a lot of different people doing protests,” Carroll said, adding that he wanted to create an area for protest that would help students stay together.
A version of this article appeared in the Apr 9 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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I don't understand why this is such a hassle...honestly, us students should use our heads and stay away from them cuz we know just listening to their hate filled speech leads to violence which is exactly what they want...they only want people to react to them...so if we all just stay away, and have some sort of counter protest on campus, then it should not be a problem...i still don't get why people feel as if they need to be around these people to have a 'successful' counter-protest
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Agreed, I can see this "peaceful" protest easily turning into violent bedlam especially if hundreds and hundreds of students show up which is what the WBC wants so they can press charges.
It's best just to ignore WBC and let them stand there like idiots with no attention.
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I also agree.
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In the very least, protest away from them.
The reason there is no unification is because many believe time would be better spent drawing attention away from them by not acknowledging them, albeit more difficult to orchestrate on a unified level.
It seems like SGA decided they would protest before thinking it through and really listening to the students' opinions on what's the best course of action.
I think you're playing right into their plan and are a tool for their goals. I would rather protest the SGA protesters than protest WBC.
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Seems the GLC is a lot more organized than we are. Just ignore them and go about your daily business.
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ummm the GLC? You mean WBC
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Why can't "leaders" like Brandon Carroll (SGA PRESIDENT!) take responsibility for anything? Constantly passing off the blame or responsibility to your peers is a very low move. Everyone is stressed and everyone has a lot going on in life...what makes you special? What's with the pity party? Grow up and learn to own up to your short-comings, because it is SO embarrassing that you, especially, are the main reason the planning fell apart.
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you just reminded me of Cartman when he was denouncing Wendy as class president, I lol'd
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Yep, planning definitely fell apart, oh wait no it didn't.
Yep, leadership definitely fell apart, oh wait no it didn't.
Yep, Brandon Carroll definitely did a piss poor job, oh wait no he didn't.
Congratulations, you are an idiot.
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I find it interesting that "Town code says you can’t physically interfere with pickets or use “profane, indecent, abusive or threatening language to, or at those pickets which would tend to provoke the pickets or others to a breach of the peace.†" Because it is my understanding that the language used by the WBC on their signs could very well be considered threatening, profane, indecent, and abusive.
So by definition, the WBCs "protest" is an abomination in and of itself. Of course we all already know that, but it bears noting.
As for the student/citizen protests that take place within hearing distance of the WBC, it is my sincere hope that those involved keep a level head and rise above the inevitable provocations that will be spewed from the other side. The Virginia Tech and Blacksburg communities have suffered enough dark blots on our collective history. We need not band together to create another of our own volition.
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I think the people that are counter protesting and giving this group attention are just as crazy as the Westboro Baptist Church themselves. They LOVE people yelling insults at them and bringing attention on them however they can get it. I will NOT be apart of this. Just a waste of my time.
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so donate money then, DO SOMETHING. All I read about is people who don't want to waste their time with any of this and want to do "nothing." Your already wasting time here reading and posting about how your going to do nothing and waste time. How about you do something else other than bringing down people who are actively trying to do something positive. Bringing the community together and raising money.
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