Cupertino community counters WBC Protest

Standing on the sidewalk in front of Cupertino High School on the morning of Oct. 19 were five protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), a group that has gained public scrutiny for their picketing at soldiers’ funerals, an act deemed inappropriate by many Americans.

Opposite to them stood 50 counter-protesters. One called out through a megaphone, “If you hate America so much, then why don’t you go to Iraq?” The crowd cheered in support of his statement.
The WBC, notorious for their extremist views regarding homosexuality and Jewish institutions, is located primarily in Topeka, Kans., but there are numerous followers of the church who have protested in all 50 states. They have made 46,718 pickets as of Oct. 19, according to their website.
A news release published on the WBC site on Oct. 14 announced that the church would picket the “fag-infested, pervert-run Cupertino High School” because the school’s “brutish teachers and hateful parents have broken the moral compass of this generation.”

Though the release also declared the picketing would occur from 8 to 8:45 a.m., the WBC left the front of Cupertino High at around 8:20. On Wednesdays, Cupertino High students begin class at 8:55.

Shirley Phelps-Roper, spokesperson for WBC and the daughter of WBC minister Roger Phelps, attended the picketing with four other members, during which they held up signs condemning gays, soldiers and Americans in general to hell.

Some of their signs also contained messages such as “Thank God for breast cancer,” and “You [Cupertino] hate your kids.” Counter-protesters responded with homemade signs, some of which parodied and insulted WBC signs, while others displayed messages of love for all.

During the protest, members of the WBC were unable to be reached for comment.
The administration at Cupertino High was notified that the protest would occur by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s office, according to Cupertino High assistant principal Andy Walczak. Staff members and sheriff’s deputies kept order at the protest.

Members of Cupertino High staff made sure all of the counter-protesters stayed on the sidewalk because stepping onto the school campus would have violated the California Education Code, which states that it is illegal to protest at the campus during school hours.

“We were not too concerned about the Westboro protesters coming onto campus because they are very savvy about the law,” said Walczak. “They push the limit with their signs and words, but definitely know where they are able to congregate.”

Befitting of the Silicon Valley’s reputation as a diverse environment, the counter protesters who showed up ranged from caring neighbors to Cupertino High alumni.

A woman, who identified herself as Bethany C., and lives across the street from Cupertino High feels the WBC’s behavior is uncalled for and unjustified.

”I really don’t understand—I’ve been through the church upbringing, and I really think they’re just crazy overboard,” Bethany C said. “I understand that everybody has the right to have their own opinions, but the way that [WBC members] come at people is not okay.”

Karin Novak, a senior attending Middle College at De Anza College heard about the protest online and went to “go and take a look at [WBC]” because of their notoriety.

“It’s interesting to me how people can be so hateful and actually do all this without running away or not being ashamed, not even a little bit,” Novak said.

Aside from those who attended out of curiosity, some decided to represent groups targeted by the WBC, such as gays.

“[I’m at this protest] because my partner and I, who have been together almost 25 years and have two children, want life to be a better place for them, without this kind of hatred,” Cupertino resident Alberta Freeman said.

Many of the counter-protesters believe that WBC is simply protesting to gain media attention and to make money.

“The whole thing is stupid,” Freeman said. “They are a small group of people that make a lot of noise, and their purpose seems to be to sue people. When you read about them, they send people to law school so they can sue for whatever reason during protests. It’s crazy.”

After the picketing at Cupertino High, the WBC went to the Apple, Inc. Cupertino campus at 9 a.m. to hold another protest because Steve Jobs failed to use his intellect and fame to “serve God and help God’s people serve God,” according to the WBC website.

”[The Cupertino community] responded really well,” Bethany said with regard to the Cupertino High counter-protest. “There are so many people out here.”