Students spread messages of peace, love and unity during their counter-protest against Westboro Baptist Church March 23. Hundreds of students came out to support the cause while three Westboro Baptist Church members preached their anti-Semitic, anti-gay messages.
“We are trying to diffuse the message of love and make sure hate falls to silent ears,” said counter-protest organizer Ross Kressel.
Students quietly marched down Glebe Street to the Jewish Studies Center where the Westboro Baptist Church members stood.
According to its Web site, godhatesfags.com,  “WBC engages in daily peaceful sidewalk demonstrations opposing the homosexual lifestyle of soul-damning, nation-destroying filth. We display large, colorful signs containing Bible words and sentiments, including: God Hates Fags, Fags hate God, AIDS Cures Fags, Thank God for AIDS, Fags burn in Hell.”
These did not stop students as they protested with their own posters, including “God loves everyone,” “Taste the Rainbow” and “Jesus had two dads.”
Kressel said the hate group funds protests like this by expensive lawsuits from counter-attacks; however, students were peaceful with their messages.
“More than anything, this is uniting the College,” Kressel said. “We are a loving and inquisitive campus.”
Kressel said he got involved because he witnessed a Westboro Baptist Church protest at a friend’s funeral.
“A girl from my high school was murdered and her funeral was picketed because she was Jewish,” Kressel said.
Students also collected donations for the Jewish Studies Center, Charleston Pride and the Veterans Affairs hospital during the counter-protest.
Kressel said the fact that young children are a part of this hate organization bothers him the most.
“The thing that makes me the saddest is that there is a child there,” Kressel said.
Sophomore Claire Long got involved because she has family in the military, and the Westboro Baptist Church protestors are against soldiers and believe they should die.
“I’m Catholic and my brother is in the Navy and they are supposed to spread the message of love,” Long said. “God is love. Actions speak louder than words, but people will support what they believe in.”
Senior Rachel Cutler said she did not want to spread their cause by showing up, but wanted to see what it was about before she protested against WBC.
“I’m not dignifying them with my presence or showing them hatred,” Cutler said. “I want to see what it is about before I judge them.”
Students respected the WBC members’ right to free speech by giving a peaceful demonstration, junior Susan Baker said.
“We are not throwing anything, we are not being combative, we are respecting their right to speech,” Baker said.
Baker said she was surprised when she found out WBC would be protesting in Charleston.
“I am here pretty much protesting against those that hate, against those that are intolerant,” Baker said. “When I found out I was shocked that our city was chosen.”
Junior Arsenio McCormick said he felt it was important to show his support for the homosexual lifestyle.
“It was a really hard decision for me, but it’s important to bring attention and legitimize the cause,” McCormick said.
McCormick encourages everyone to be proud of their sexuality, even if others hate them for it.
“No one chooses to be gay. Whoever is out, know that people support you. Whoever you are, stand up and be proud,” McCormick said. “Live your life, that is all you can do at the end of the day.”
McCormick said he was excited to see the student response.
“My first reaction was this is going to be fun,” McCormick said. “I am proud to see students supporting each other. Hate is not a part of religion, but an underlying tone of love.”

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