Anti-gay group, counter-protesters square off again

By SUZAN CLARKE
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: April 6, 2004)

NYACK — A handful of members of a controversial Kansas church staged an anti-gay demonstration outside Village Hall yesterday morning, invoking God's name, chanting slogans, singing hymns and trampling an American flag.

About 150 counterprotesters standing behind barriers on North Broadway faced down the group from Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan.

As they did Sunday night in South Nyack, the church members and their young children — situated behind barriers across from the counterprotesters — carried various signs that said God hated gays and that thanked God for the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. One protester also dragged an American flag on the ground.

Their actions incensed the counterprotesters, who, standing in the bracing, frigid morning air, sang and chanted to condemn the group's message.

Insults were traded back and forth. Officers from the Orangetown police and Rockland County Sheriff's Department were close by to ensure order.

"Judge not lest ye be judged. Judged not lest ye be judged," David Sanders, a Grand View resident, shouted across the crowd. "Shame on you for ruining your children's minds."

Standing in front of the protesters was Nyack's Mayor John Shields, who came to prominence in recent weeks after suing the state and Orangetown town clerk to force them to issue same-sex marriage licenses.

Shields and his partner, Bob Streams, looked directly ahead at the protesters.

The mayor said he supported the group's right to free speech, but expressed disappointment that protesters stood on the American flag and seemed thankful for Sept. 11.

The Kansas protesters had "nothing in common" with "any religion I know about," Shields said.

Halfway through the protest, five members of St. John's Deliverance Tabernacle in the village joined the Westboro contingent. They remained behind for a few moments following the Topeka church members' departure.

The local church group also carried signs, one of which read: "Adam and Eve, Not Adam and Steve."

James Tisdale, an elder in the church, spoke for the five church members who protested. He distanced himself from the Westboro church's message that God hates gays, but said he was against marriage or civil unions for gays.

"We came out to let them know that God loves them but hates the sin," Tisdale said.

Some counterprotesters during the 45-minute protest carried signs, some of which said "God does not hate gays" and "God loves me."

Stony Point resident Cyndi Wright stood among the counterdemonstrators. She chatted with friends yesterday while holding a sign.

"I've been with my girlfriend 12 years, and I think we should have the right to get married," she said.

Frank Celli, owner of the Runcible Spoon Bakery in the village and an Army veteran who served in Korea from 1965 to 1967, was upset when he saw an American flag being trampled in front of him.

"It aggravates me. It angers me. I can't believe that there's still stupid people like that in our country," he said. "If they don't like America, leave it. A free country is why they're here, why they're allowed to do it, to disgrace our flag, our 9/11 heroes, our veteran heroes and the gay community.

"It's a disgrace."

But the real disgrace, said Margie Phelps of the Westboro congregation, was the people who stood against her group. She described them as a "pitiful, motley band."

"I think that their voice is the voice of the future, and this nation deserves to have that evil and perverseness," she said, "because they've disobeyed God for so long." Her father, the Rev. Fred Phelps, founded the church. He did not attend yesterday's or Sunday's protests.

Responding to a question about whether the young children that accompanied her group understood the message, Margie Phelps said: "Just like they have their children with them, you teach your children the will of God. It's your duty as a parent."

Christine O'Brien, a counterprotester from Pearl River, said it was ironic that although the group's members were using the name of God for hate, Jesus would forgive them.

"Jesus died on the cross for them," O'Brien said. "He died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins."

Orangetown Supervisor Thom Kleiner, who observed the protest, said the Westboro demonstration might have done some good.

"Well, on the plus side, I think it unintentionally really brought people together to speak with one voice for people's rights," he said by telephone later yesterday.

New York Assemblyman Ryan Karben, D-Monsey, condemned the Topeka group.

"We don't need these folks from Kansas sowing their hate in Nyack," he said, as he stood among the crowd of counterprotesters.

"This has nothing to do with gay marriage, which I don't support," said Karben, noting that the issue was about fairness.

No matter what one's personal beliefs, Karben said, "anybody who values civility should be out here today rejecting this kind of hateful and divisive rhetoric."

Ben Korn, the organizer of the counterprotest and a Nyack High School student, praised supporters for turning out. He said he hoped to build on that support to heighten awareness of gay rights.