Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), a virulently anti-Semitic and homophobic hate group, tried to gain publicity and bring its message of hate to Boulder and Denver on April 22 – 24, 2010, picketing at several synagogues, Jewish organizations, public schools, churches and events.  The targeted institutions were prepared for the protests and reacted in positive ways, because ADL alerted them weeks in advance and worked with them and with law enforcement to insure a thoughtful and peaceful response.

ADL sent a community advisory to the targeted institutions, and to all Jewish institutions in the metro Denver area, with information about WBC and advice on how to respond to the hateful protests.  ADL has actively tracked this hate group for over ten years, and has published a report on its activities.

WBC is a hate group based in Topeka, Kansas, founded by Fred Phelps.  Its primary goal is to attract media attention.  It is perhaps best known for protesting at funerals of American soldiers and waving anti-American,homophobic, and anti-Semitic signs.  The group usually sends a small group (less than ten) of its members with offensive, brightly-colored signs to stand on street corners and in front of targeted institutions. The group’s members often chant or scream bigoted phrases, and their demonstrations usually last no longer than an hour.  ADL sent the local targeted institutions several resources, including a copy of the ADL guide “Responding to the Westboro Baptist Church,”which urges people to resist actively engaging with the protesters, and to use the protests as an opportunity to spread a positive message of respect and acceptance.  ADL also alerted law enforcement to the group’s planned protests and to the potential for counter-protest by offended community members.  Our staff responded to many questions and concerns in the days leading up to the protests.

In the end, a small group of WBC members, including children, picketed at several locations in Denver, Boulder, Westminster and Centennial, holding highly offensive anti-Semitic, anti-Catholic, anti-American and homophobic signs.  There were counter-protests at most of the locations, even though the weather was cold and blustery.  Although some of the participants on both sides were loud and vocal, the events remained peaceful.  ADL is grateful to law enforcement in each location for ensuring the security of all involved.