Thousands Counterprotest Westboro Baptist Church in Montana

Shirley Phelps, daughter of Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps, went to Bozeman, Montana with a few of her family members last week to protest at Montana State University and at a local Bozeman high school. What the “God Hates Fags” group got in return was a well-organized cold shoulder from an estimated 1000 protestors, aided by 1500 scoops of free ice cream.

Instead of attracting a crowd, the Westboro clan’s presence motivated Bozeman’s residents to gather in a local park to celebrate diversity and equality.

“This event really celebrates diversity and one of the core values of MSU which is inclusiveness. I’m really pleased with the turnout as well as the leadership we’ve seen from our students to pull this together,” MSU’s Dean, Matthew Caires, told local news station KBZK:

A rabbi was among those who cheered. “I scream, you scream we all scream for equality!”
Protesters were so engrossed in their cheering that even though Westboro members were protesting just around the corner, no one at this location considered paying them a visit.
A retired MSU professor, Alanna Brown said, “It’s a very corrupt protest and it’s so shocking that I – I loved that all the students – my son says thank god for our loving youth. I love that they organized this for the community!”
So when it was time for Westboro to move on to Bozeman High, this is what many counter-protesters did:
“We’re going to have ice cream for equality at Cooper Park! Join us now it’s free ice cream!”
Nova and Wild Joes Coffee were giving away free ice cream in an effort to keep thousands of people from showing up at Bozeman High – an effort that seemed to be working.
Megan Ulrich is a parent of a child who goes to Bozeman High School. She chose to come here instead.
“I told them that they were going to be protesting homosexuality at the high school and maybe not feed into it as much and come on over to Cooper Park and be with those who are with equality,” she said.
Hundreds of people followed her lead.
Brandon Clements, another counter-protestor against Westboro, was also at Cooper Park. “Ice cream is better than hanging out with warrior hate mongers,” he said.

Montana Human Rights Network, ACLU of Montana, Fair is Fair Montana,Montana Organizing Project, and Forward Montana: Bozeman all worked together to stage the peaceful counter rally.