Kansas Protestors Bring Anti-Gay Marriage to Area; Signs Offended Even their Local Supporters

WABC-TV New York ^ | April 5, 2004 | Michelle Charlesworth

[GiveEmDubya]

(Nyack -WABC, April 5, 2004) — An anti-gay protest group returned to Nyack this morning. The small organization from out of state went to Nyack and New Paltz protesting the push for legalized gay marriage in New York. Police and local supporters of gay rights were there as well. Michelle Charleworth reports.

The group that protested in the two towns today came here from a Baptist church in Kansas. Half of them were children. They came here to protest against gay marriage. They were joined by five people from here, who said later that they were ashamed.

Police didn't allow our cameras across the street during the protest, in an effort to, quote, "keep the peace." On one side, a group for gay marriage. On the other side, a group that was not.

Standing on American flags, most came from Kansas to be here. They're members of a Baptist church that is travelling around the country.

They were joined by five Nyack protestors from a local church, who said later they were shocked by the anti-American signs and chose to keep their distance.

Protestor: "Our signs said, "God hates f**s" and "God Hates America," and "Thank God for September 11th," and "God Blew Up the Shuttle." Michelle Charlesworth, Eyewitness News: "Does it surprise you that non one from here has joined your protest?"

Protestor: "Well, first of all they did, frankly, they did- four people. But no, it doesn't surprise me at all, because this is an adulterous and sinful nation and God has given it over to this kind of a perverted way of life."

And with that she was off to the airport. The rest of the protestors went inside village hall to warm up and enjoy free coffee and muffins.

A lot of high school and middle school students were here in support of gay marriage.

Student: "They chose the wrong town to protest. This is Nyack, for lack of a better word a very flamboyant town."

It's spring break, and students are out of school but said today was quite an education.

[aft_lizard]

I am willing to bet its the Rev Fred Phelps a prominant Topeka Democrat who also set up protests in support of the murder of mathew shepherd. And Dims think that the Republicans have hate cornered.

Thats not to say I support homosexuality but you cant be hateful in your distaste it only makes things worse.

[GSWarrior]

The Ruckus Society has been known to pose as fundamentalists.

[Catspaw]

Some of the daughters are lawyers, too. But it's definitely the Phelps and whelps. This from their website:

WBC to picket the Homo-Fascist People's Republic of New Paltz/Nyack, New York -- April 4 & 5

[Buell_X1-1200]

Yes, that's them. They have that website address posted on a huge banner outside of 'the church'.