On Saturday, Westboro Baptist Church members are coming to campus. The anti-gay, anti-Semitic extremist Christian group will be protesting the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts’ production of The Laramie Project — a play about the aftermath of the murder of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard — which will be performed this weekend along with an update titled The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later.
When WBC protested at Hillel last year, we affirmed its right to protest, and we do so again. As a newspaper, we value the First Amendment, and the protesters deserve their freedoms of speech, assembly and religion.
That being said, we take issue with WBC’s views and think other students should as well. Shepard’s death — as well as recent tragedies impacting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities nationwide — remind us of the need for tolerance and solidarity.
As students plan their response to the protest, we hope they use the reaction to WBC’s demonstration last year as a model. Groups and students representing all backgrounds previously came together to support tolerance without becoming aggressive or violent toward the protesters. The result was nothing short of inspiring. And this weekend, students have an opportunity to be inspiring again.
