When I read about this I was shocked...I've lived in Plattsburgh my whole life and Mayor Dan is by far the best mayor we've had. He is an amazing guy. As he said in the article, he is gay but he has never made that an issue. Its not like hes doing ANYTHING inappropriate. Whats unfortunate is this festival is one of the few of its kind and it truly is a family affair. Why ruin something so unpolitical? This all started because the mayor said at a council meeting about the festival. (taken from a previous aritcle ) "You think a free society has to allow hate groups at their events?’’ The Mayor asked Carter. Carter said he did. "People have a right to their views, whether you agree with them or not,’’ he said. The mayor said he was not going to allow the Mayor’s Cup to become a political stage. "This is a recreational event for family fun and entertainment. We are not going to have political issues shoved down peoples throats,’’ he said. "The last thing I want is the Rev. (Fred) Phelps showing up here with signs saying, ‘God hates fags.’’ Phleps the leader of the group who protested at Matthew Shepphards Funeral made his last sermon all about Dan and has made a formal request for a booth at the festival. If he does not recieve one he has plans to come to plattsburgh and file charges. The rules of this festival since at least 2002 (I believe) have stated people may purchase booth space, only if they are not using hateful language, or are otherwise alienating a certain groups. (this is my own paraphrase) There are several ideas for peaceful protest if he indeed comes this summer... Any ideas or support? http://www.pressrepublican.com/Archive/14_days/122120041.htm
I am remebering now the scene in "The Laramie Project" where counter-protestors come out dressed in angels wings and turn their backs on the" fundie" protestors who are standing with their signs saying "God hates fags" so that the people going to the funeral don't have to see them. Beautiful scene. Perhaps you could get a Huge ten foor tall banner that says "We Love You Mayor Dan" that either covers the protestors or have a little arrow drawn that says "Wingnuts" pointing in whatever direction the fundies are frothing in. Good luck Thanks for supporting sanity! (sanity needs mucho support these days)
I really despise Fred Phelps... How about some signs that say "God hates Fred Phelps," or quote the appropriate passages of the Bible (supposedly Phelps' religion) such as "Judge not, lest ye be judged," or "Don't try to remove the speck from your neighbor's eye when you have a log in your own."
phelps is one of those people determined to spread hate and hurt. i can't imagine being full of so much hate or the determination to hurt others. (i was in a production of 'the laramie project' last year...) it is horrible the way he has presented himself and how he has presented his suppossed word of God. hate is not in the images of how to live a good life.
Thanks for the kind word and ideas... One idea I had was to get together with the local gay/les/bi groups and organize a fundraiser based on Mr. Phelps arrival and departure...like ask for pledges for X amount each minute he is here and all the proceeds go towards the group or a charity of their choice...haven't quite figured it out yet but its in the works... Keep the ideas coming guys. It really means a lot, for you to help, even if its just kind words There is while to plan if he does show up, so no idea is out of the question. Much Love, Sasha
I don't have any ideas unfortunately, sorry! But man I can't stand Phelps. He doesn't listen to reason at all. He's got his set ideas, and I don't think anything will ever change them....Heck...even if God him/herself came down and told him to change his ways or shut the fuck up, I still don't think he'd listen. It's too bad, because it sounds like a great time to be had by all, and he and his minions are just going to come and try to ruin it for all the poor people and families there to have a good time. He really has some nerve. Talk about a false prophet.
Fred Phelps is one of the most hateful person in America. he and his pathetic redneck family have nothing better to do than picket to people who don't care about the issue and they don't care about him. He uses hate and discrimination to spread his words. What seperates him from Rick Santorum is that Santorum has a little more intelligence and doesn't go out and be a huge asshole in front of everyone. he just does it on the senate floor.
