WASHINGTON – A group known for proclaiming anti-gay messages at military funerals and other events will be picketing outside a D.C. high school Monday.
Upon getting the word that the Westboro Baptist Church will protest Wilson High School’s gay-straight alliance Monday morning, Mayor Vincent Gray had some choice words.
“In my best biblical reference, they can go straight to hell,” Gray says.
Gray also sarcastically expressed disappointment the group only planned a half- hour visit outside the school.
“We’d love to have them long enough so they get the message not to come back,” he says.
The group picketed the same student-run alliance five years ago.
“It’s a disgrace to me to have a group come from Kansas and participate in something as backward thinking as this is,” Gray says.
Principal Pete Cahall says the visit has been scheduled on the group’s website for a while and is likely not the result of his decision to come out to students and staff on Wednesday during Gay Pride Day.
“This is their event. I’ll be there to supervise the kids and make sure they’re safe,” Cahall says.
The group’s website says it also plans to protest at the Capital Pride Parade, the Supreme Court and the White House, among other D.C. locations.
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