Gonzaga University hosts a Prayer for Dignity, Justice and Peace at the Peace Pole near College Hall-Spokane, Washington-USA
Members of Westboro Baptist Church picketed near GU’s campus in 2018, but the group was met with a wave of student protestors.
Bulletin File Photo
Natalie Keller October 10, 2024
Kansas church plans to stage anti-LGBTQ+ demonstration near Gonzaga University-(GU).
A church known for nationwide protests that “foster hate and deepen prejudice” plans to stage a demonstration near Gonzaga University on Friday morning.
Ellen Maccarone, GU’s vice president for mission integration, announced in an email Wednesday evening that Westboro Baptist Church will protest from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. Protesters will not be allowed on university property for safety reasons, and GU community members are urged not to participate, she said.
The church, based in Topeka, Kansas, has previously protested at GU in 2010, 2013 and 2018. It is known for its animosity toward the LGBTQ+ community and military personnel. The group claims that actions by LGBTQ+ individuals are “offensive to God” and that soldiers’ deaths are “divine punishment for human sin,” according to the email.
“The WBC’s message is deliberately shocking, threatening, and offensive, designed to provoke strong reactions,” Maccarone said. “If you are unfamiliar with WBC, know that their activism is rooted in a message of hate and fear.”
A press release from the church accuses GU of racism and corruption, calling it “an arm of the Catholic monster” that is “morally and spiritually corrupt.”
Maccarone noted that the group is well-versed in its constitutional rights and backed by legal counsel. Its goal, she said, is to provoke confrontation and secure monetary damages to fund future activities. Law enforcement will likely be present at the demonstration.
The protest coincides with GU’s Lincoln LGBTQ+ Center celebrating its 20th anniversary and hosting its Lavender Mass on Friday. Maccarone said these events will support the targets of the church’s demonstration.
GU will also host a Prayer for Dignity, Justice, and Peace on Friday at 9:50 a.m. at the Peace Pole near College Hall.
“WBC primarily benefits from the attention others give to it — give your attention to other things,” Maccarone said in the email. “This is a reminder that our community is strong, celebrates diversity, and upholds our Jesuit, Catholic, and humanistic values.”
This story is ongoing. Details will be added as more information becomes available to The Gonzaga Bulletin.
Natalie Keller is a news editor.