Fred Phleps Itenerary for Boise Idaho Rally, December 14th

[Selwynn]

Javier from Your Family, Friends and Neighbors:
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Here is what I have gathered on the upcoming visit by the Fred Phelps' Clan.

They are coming to picket the "Ten Commandments Prayer Rally" at the
bandshell in Julia Davis Park at Noon on Sunday December 14th.
They are angry that Dennis Mansfield, Norman Rutzen (pastor of Valley
Pentecostal), Rabbi Allen Gorin, and Mormon Frank Root did not stand with them when the Phelps' clan were last here in July 2002.

Here's a quote from their press release: "Where were these chocolate soldiers when GSA sodomites stole the Univ. of Idaho & punished all students opposing them? None stuck his head up to join WBC (Westboro Baptist CHurch)'s UI protest pickets in July 2002. WBC will picket the phony "rally" Dec 14, with this message: If there's anything but hot air in any of your 100 paper tiger churches, you will join WBC in demanding that BOise officials allow WBC's "Matthew Shepard in Hell"
monument to go up in Julia Davis Park"

I am not all to concerned about that - if Mansfield needs our help, I"m sure he can ask for it.

NOW, here's the part I AM concerned about. I checked their website and found that they are planning to protest several church in Boise earlier that morning.

I think we need two bands of 'angels' to handle this.
>-----------------------------------------------------
December 14, 2003 8:45 am - 9:15 am
St. Michael's Episcopal, 518 N. 8th St.

December 14, 2003 9:30 am - 9:55 am
All Saints Episcopal, 704 S. Latah

December 14, 2003 10:05 am - 10:25 am
St. Stephen's Episcopal, 2206 N. Cole Road

December 14, 2003 10:35 am - 11:00 am
Church of the Sacred Heart, 811 S. Latah

December 14, 2003 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Julia Davis Park, 700 SW Capitol
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Here is a suggested plan of response:
1) Contact the churches and have a meeting with a representative from each.

2) form two bands of angels (at least 10 each) to SHIELD THE CHURCH GOERS from the Phelps' hateful message - each group will leap frog from church to church always being there BEFORE the Phelps arrive.
- I would like handouts or several representatives there for the church goers explaning the angels presence.

3) Hold a 'stop the hate rally' of some sort at Anne Frank Memorial to
coincide with the '10 commandments rally'.

I would also like to take advantage of Phelps' arrival... some suggestions:
- a fundraiser: people pledge money for every minute that the Phelps protest
- a clear and concise media message that focuses on GLBT issues and not on Phelps OR on Mansfield's latest publicity ploy.

I believe that Pam Baldwin of the Interfaith Alliance, Marty Durand of the ACLU, and several other people in the faith community are working on the 'stop the hate' rally.

I believe Pam can, or can suggest someone, to organize the affected churches. Carolyn Bevington is the person who organized the angels last year and I believe she has most of the 'equipment'. Does anyone know how to contact her?

IF you do, please call her NOW and have her call ME ASAP.
My contact information:
Javier Smith

If you want contact information, you can pm me privately.

If we decide to do the angels, we are going to need to get lots of volunteers as angels and as 'support angels' (to help the angels deploy, to make sure they have water, etc, to create new 'angel' costumes, etc.)

Here are the site were I got the information on Phelps' visit:
http://www.godhatesfags.com/fliers/Picket_Information.html
http://www.godhatesfags.com/fliers/nov2003/10_Commandments_Idaho_11-29-2003
.pdf

Here is the YFFN page on the Angel action we did for the last time Phelps's clan was here: http://www.yffn.org/angels/

[grannylib]

1. Will be praying for your efforts; would be there to help in a minute if

I were anywhere near!
Let us know how it goes...
Blessings.

[joycep]

2. Boy! The Phelps gang

sure likes to celebrate the birth of the "Prince of Peace" in such funny ways.