Time to teach

Eastern Washington University plans response to ultra-conservative hate group's on-campus appearance

By JOHN McCALLUM

Editor

Eastern Washington University received notice late last week that it is one of several area locations scheduled to be picketed by members of the ultra-conservative Westboro Baptist Church.

University officials were informed that WBC members will be on campus between 3:45 and 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20 to, according to the church's website, “preach the only Gospel truth the students and faculty of this cesspool masquerading as a university will ever hear.” Prior to coming to Cheney WBC members will also picket Spokane's Whitworth University, Gonzaga University, Moody Bible Institute and Ferris High School, and will follow Eastern with a trip back to Spokane's Synagogue Chavurat HaMashiach.

“The WBC has gained notoriety for provocative protests at the funerals of military service members,” EWU President Dr. Rodolfo Arévalo stated in an Oct. 6 press release. “This Kansas-based group espouse an anti-gay and anti-Semitic agenda, and celebrates the deaths of Americans which they claim are indicative of a rebuke from God. WBC's hateful and divisive messages are contrary to the values and mission of Eastern Washington University.”

But at least one staff member may be happy that members of the church, founded in Topeka, Kan. in 1955 by Fred Phelps, are stopping by. Sandy Williams, coordinator at Eastern's Pride Center, said the campus appearance of WBC has suddenly opened the eyes of people who questioned the official forming of the center in March 2010.

“There were people who wondered why we have a Pride Center on campus,” Williams said. “Now they know.”

As of Monday, Oct. 11, the Pride Center, which supports the campus lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender student organization Eagle Pride, has been working with the Associated Students of EWU to stage a forum about responses to the WBC's visit. The forum will take place Thursday, Oct. 20, in Showalter Hall room 109 from 4-6 p.m.

“It's basically how to go about doing this in a civil way,” Eastern dean of students Al Thompson said.

Williams said the forum will take place in two parts. First, Spokane Peace and Justice Action League founder Rusty Nelson will talk about the history of non-violent protests and how to go about it, something the PJAL does regularly.

“There are other ways of protesting than just screaming across at each other,” Williams said. “We'll use this as a teachable moment on the history of non-violent protest. It's something Rusty does well.”

After Nelson's talk, forum participants will sit down to figure out what kind of response they wish to present to WBC members. Williams said she has always wanted an opportunity to engage students in this situation, and thanks to the WBC she now has it.

“I love teaching this stuff so yeah, they gave us an opportunity,” she said.

Besides Cheney and Spokane, Westboro members plan to picket institutions in Coeur d'Alene including North Idaho College and Lake City High School. The group has often drawn attention by picketing the funeral services of military personnel, with one of those protests leading to a legal case centered on free speech rights that was recently heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The group believes America's problems are the result of God's wrath being directed towards the country because of what it considers a vile, non-Bible centered lifestyle that includes endorsement of homosexuality. WBC has thanked God for the deaths of American service personnel and proclaimed IED's (improvised explosive devices) as an instrument of God's wrath.

Despite the negativity surrounding the WBC's visit Williams sees it as a good thing since it has drawn various community organizations and members closer together in opposition. Arévalo echoed those thoughts in his press release.

“Eastern Washington University is a place of inclusion, diversity and tolerance,” he said. “I encourage you to view this event as a learning experience that will hopefully strengthen your support for our students and deepen your commitment to upholding the dignity of people.”

According to the press release, WBC members would be allowed to stage their protest outside the Pence Union Building on campus. At press time there was a possibility that location would be changed.

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].