NORFOLK -- Members of Westboro Baptist Church from Kansas brought a very different message to Hampton Roads than the traditional church values of love and forgiveness.
"They hate Catholics and Jewish people, gay people, military, America ... I guess from my understanding they hate America in general," said Scott Cravey, who learned of the group when it came to Lynchburg eight years ago.
The WBC will picket locations in Norfolk Monday and will move to Virginia Beach later in the week.
"I think it's important for people to know that they're gonna be here so that they don't just see it and get angry, but can understand who these people are and maybe not react," said Cravey.
Protests are planned at Naval Station Norfolk, several Jewish temples and Maury and Granby high schools in Norfolk.
"The last thing we want to do is to have any of our children engage them in a negative way and simply give them what they want which is attention," said Mike Spencer of Norfolk Public Schools.
A counter protest was launched on Facebook, encouraging people to join counter demonstrations and stand against the church.
"The people who are joining this Facebook group, I agree with them, I hate to see this group even come to Hampton Roads," said Cravey.
Police will be at each location where protests are planned to make sure everything remains peaceful.
The protesters will be in Hampton Roads through Wednesday, March 3.
Here is a list of where they plan to stage demonstrations.
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
