Samo students plan counter protest against hate group

 Max GumbelNews EditorStudents responded passionately to the plans of the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) to picket Samo on Feb. 25., organizing a “wall of humanity” in support of gay rights.WBC has garnered notoriety as of late for its Christian extremism, outspoken opposition to homosexuality and apparent desire for Americans to die.“Every adult in [Samo students’] lives has taught them that they can disobey God and still go to Heaven, that it is OK to be gay, and that God is not cursing this doomed nation for the sin of embracing sodomy,” WBC wrote in its announcement of the Samo picket.WBC, which is based in Topeka, Kansas under the direction of founder Fred Phelps, has picketed many educational institutions in the past. Representatives of the church have attempted to protest U.S. Army burial ceremonies and, more recently, the funerals commemorating the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings.Many religious affiliations have categorized WBC as a hate group for its belief that God hates everybody who has sinned and/or has not dedicated his or her life to advocate against sin.Samo students voiced their vehement opposition to WBC after the announcement.“They twist and befoul the Bible, even if they claim to have utmost belief on it. As a Christian, I find their belief of an all-hating God completely repugnant,” Jisuk Oh (‘14) said. “I want to make an effort to protest against them.”Samo Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) president Logan Henderson believes that the mass protest of the WBC’s picket brought Samo together.“A counter-protest [was] a good way for Samo students to expend their energy and come together as a cohesive group for an important issue that affects not only lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people on campus but absolutely everyone, regardless of how they identify,” Henderson said.After a Wednesday, Feb. 13 meeting, the GSA officially decided to aim for unified protest rather than silence, and according to many students, the result was a success. The GSA fundraised around $6,500 for the entire GSA Network, donating it in the name of the WBC, and hosted an assembly on campus to discuss the importance of treating every peer with etiquette and respect.Ben Ross (’16) videotaped the counter-protest, and the edited YouTube clip of the counter-protest garnered media attention. The video was reposted on sites like America Blog and Huffington Post, and was retweeted by Max Greenfield, an actor on FOX sitcom “New Girl.” Ross even received a call from Ellen DeGeneres.“I am immensely proud to be a part of the Samo community,” Ross said. “[It is] one that will not stand for injustice and hate, but one that teaches compassion and individuality.”mgumbel@thesamohi.com