Counter-protesters outnumbered members of a controversial church 50-1 today when the church group picketed two Albany educational facilities with their anti-gay messages.
Six members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., came to Albany as part of a sweep through the country to protest against institutions and people it says support homosexuality. The group also proclaims President Obama to be “the Antichrist” and that America is headed down a path of doom.
Members of the church, known for its frequent protests of military funerals, visited Albany High School at 7 this morning and then went to the University at Albany. At each location, at least 300 people confronted them. Police reported no incidents.
Members of the church, composed primarily of the Pastor Fred Phelp’s family, are visiting schools throughout the country. They were in Lexington, Ky., Thursday, and will be in Plattsburgh later today. The church will be in Massachusetts to protest the showing of “The Laramie Project” in Reading at the high school on March 13.
The Anti-Defamation League describes the church as a hate group that thrives on publicity.
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Categories: Schenectady County