Vancouver gays rally against Phelps' clan
HATE / Hate group didn't show up to planned protest
Liz Hargreaves / Vancouver / Monday, December 01, 2008
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(Liz Hargreaves photo)
Vancouver gays staged an anti-hate rally on Nov 28, to counter a planned protest by Fred Phelps and the homophobic Westboro Baptist Church — but the religious group never showed up.

Phelps' clan threatened to picket the Nov 28 production of the Laramie Project, a play about the 1998 killing of a young gay man, Matthew Shepard.

Canada Border Services Agency would neither confirm nor deny whether Phelps' clan was turned back at the border, citing privacy laws.

Two NDP MPs, Libby Davies and Bill Siksay, called for the group to be barred from entering Canada. Others, including the BC Civil Liberties Association and Little Sister's bookstore owner Jim Deva, said that the group should be allowed in, so Canadians could challenge their ideas face-to-face.

Check out Xtra.ca's video report below:

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Reader Comments


 
All of Us
Thanks for the great article. As the organizer of the rally I think it's important to note that it wasn't just "Vancouver gays" who staged the rally - in fact I'm heterosexual and I staged/produced the rally myself. It was ALL of Vancouver who came out to say that we will not sit idly by when the city and people we love are threatened with hatred. Cheers, Liz Wilton Rally Producer Fighting Chance Productions
Liz Wilton, Vancouver BC
12/01/08 7:26 PM EST
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Thank you Liz!!
Thank you Liz for organizing the rally. And yes, it was all of us. It was an amazing event to be part of. I got there at 5pm after a long day at work. It was raining, I was tired, hungry and cold, and getting wet. I didn't think I was going to last long, especially while standing in the mud. However the spirit of solidarity grabbed me shortly after I got there, and I stayed until 7:45pm. It was heartwarming to see the flags lined up by Havana's, and the cars driving by and honking for support. I am glad I was there, and that I stayed. Thank you again to Liz and her team. Sabina
Sabina Zahn, Vancouver BC
12/02/08 12:37 PM EST
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All supporters!!
Being a part of the rally and supporting such events is crucial for positive change. The energy from all was well worth standing-up in the drizzle for. Thank you Liz & all who came out. The play was great too. Peace.
Della, Vancouver BC
12/02/08 1:09 PM EST
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