NORFOLK -- Members of Westboro Baptist Church are set to arrive in Hampton Roads Monday to add to the number of "peaceful demonstrations" they boast on their website they've staged. The group, led by Pastor Fred Phelps, has been picketing since 1991, speaking against many groups, including the gay, military, and Jewish communities.
The three-day-long itinerary in our area includes stops in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Portsmouth. The first location on WBC's schedule is outside Granby High School.
"We've had groups in the past that have been in front of our schools," says Michael Spencer with Norfolk Public Schools, "but not of this caliber."
NPS is in the process of letting parents know the group's intentions at Granby, Maury, and Norview High Schools. It also is working closely with the City of Norfolk.
"We expect to have city officials there, whether police or others, to make sure that the agreement they have with the group is adhered to," Spencer tells 13News. "The last thing we want to do is give 'em a lot of play. We'd like 'em to just pass through the area like they've never been there."
Kathy O'Hara with Virginia Beach City Public Schools says her division is following steps similar to Norfolk Public Schools. Westboro Baptist lists Landstown High School in the Beach as one of the demonstrators' places to picket. Churchland High School in Portsmouth rounds out the list of public schools on the schedule.
Demonstrations also are to take place at Naval Station Norfolk and outside a military symposium being held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. In addition, the group lists stops at Jewish congregations, schools, and facilities.
"I wish they would spend as much time helping people in need as they do preaching hatred," says Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg of Ohef Sholom Temple. "They pretty much hate everyone."
Mandelberg says there will be a police presence outside her synagogue, but the congregation will choose not to engage picketers if they show up.
"The messages that they give out are so ridiculous, and such distortions, that it's hard for me to imagine that anybody who thinks rationally could give them any credence," Mandelberg states. "I think they'll have their little visit and come and go, and we'll just get back to life as normal."
Spencer encourages school communities to take the same approach.
"The last thing we want to do is to have any of our children engage with them in a negative way and simply give them what they want which is attention," Spencer says.
Picket Schedule for Hampton Roads from Westboro Baptist Church's Website
Monday, March 1, 2010
Granby High School, Norfolk
Maury High School, Norfolk
BINA High School, Norfolk
Ohef Sholom Temple, Norfolk
Norfolk Naval Station
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Landstown High School, Virginia Beach
Simon Family Jewish Community Center, Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Churchland High School, Portsmouth
Torah Day School, Portsmouth
Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach
Norview High School, Norfolk
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