Michael McDermott/SPPS
THE LEGAL RESPONSE
In the event that anything unforeseen happens, police from both the Blacksburg and Tech police departments will be present.
Lt. Joe Davis of the Blacksburg Police could not comment on specifics of plans, but he said that officers would be on hand “to make sure that people are safe.”
“We just want to make sure things don’t get out of hand and people don’t get out of hand,” he said.
It is possible for police to ask protesters to disperse if town codes are violated. 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.” Additionally, the sidewalks and streets must be free for pedestrian and car passage.
Protesters may also face issues with the town code in terms of assembly. The town requires certain permits for groups of 10 or more as well as groups of 200 or more.
As far as the Blacksburg police could report, no student groups have applied for such permits. However, “First amendment speech is protected, so unless there’s violence” the police department does not plan on interfering with any counter-protest, Davis said.
Blacksburg mayor Ron Rordam said he would be present at the GLC event.
“I’m pleased the students will have their counter-protest on campus,” he said. “I think it’s important to stay away. I’m encouraging everyone to join.”
Rordam said he wanted the Tech community to demonstrate a spirit of acceptance and peace.
“The best way it to not react but demonstrate who we are,” he said.
Carroll encouraged students to focus on the positive aspects of the counter-protest effort, despite his struggles through planning it.
“This has been the worst experience for me,” he said. “It’s been frustrating, but I still think it’ll be successful.”
Carroll said he hoped students would make the counter-protest positive, no matter how or where they chose to protest.
The unofficial gathering will begin at the GLC plaza at 11:30 a.m. and is not officially sponsored by any university groups or officials.
The Westboro Baptist Church will start its April 9 protest at 12:15 p.m. outside the Blacksburg Jewish Community Center on the corner of Church Street and East Roanoke Street. At 12:45 p.m. they will proceed to the corner of North Main Street and East Roanoke Street. At 1:30 p.m. the church will round off its schedule at Blacksburg High School.
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A version of this article appeared in the Apr 9 issue of the Collegiate Times.
Leave a comment 12 Comments Write a letter to the editor
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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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