Fresno leaders and organizations have expressed strong opposition to the upcoming visit of the highly controversial Westboro Baptist Church, which is set to protest in Fresno next week.

The Westboro Baptist Church, based in Topeka, Kansas, has scheduled anti-LGBTQ+ protests at two Fresno-area high schools. The “God Hates Fags” protests are planned to begin at 3:45 p.m. on Monday at Roosevelt High School in southeast Fresno and at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday at Reedley High School.

In a previous article, GV Wire reported that Fresno Unified spokeswoman Diana Diaz confirmed that the district is aware of the planned protests. She stated that the demonstrations are not affiliated with the school and will not take place on school grounds.

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Fresno Leaders React to Westboro’s Planned Trip

Fresno Council President Annalisa Perea, the first openly gay member on the city council, said Westboro’s message of hate is not welcome in Fresno.

“Let me be clear: any attempt to spread hate, intimidation, or division will not be tolerated. Our schools must remain safe spaces for all students, teachers, and staff,” she said, adding, “This city will never be a platform for hate, and we remain unwavering in our commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for everyone.”

Luis Chavez, Fresno City councilmember and candidate for Fresno County Supervisor, also released a statement condemning the group’s actions, noting that they are known for harassing fallen soldiers, praising the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and targeting LGBTQIA+ children.

Chavez, whose district includes Roosevelt High School, said, “My faith, and that of the Roosevelt neighborhood, believes in love and tolerance. Our community will always be stronger than these tourists of hate.”

Chavez told GV Wire, “This group that’s not part of our community has caused genuine angst and fear among our children. I understand their tactics are designed to be sensationalist to attract attention, but these are children they are targeting. There has to be boundaries and children should be off limits!”

Social media has buzzed with news of a counter-protest, with LGBT Fresno planning to demonstrate at both the Roosevelt and Reedley protests. Chavez has expressed his intention to attend in support of the community.

The Fresno Police Department also has been preparing for the upcoming protest: “The Fresno Police Department is aware of the planned protest on Monday, October 28, 2024.  Law enforcement’s role at protests is to ensure participants can exercise their 1st Amendment rights while ensuring our community’s safety. The Fresno Police Department will have officers monitoring the event,” Lt. Bill Dooley said.

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Fresno Teachers Association Comment on Protest and FUSD

The Fresno Teachers Association issued a statement expressing their concern over the Westboro Baptist Church’s targeting of Roosevelt. “Let us be clear: we unequivocally condemn any message rooted in hate, intolerance, or bigotry,” the statement said.

The FTA criticized Fresno Unified for its lack of “more visible communication” regarding enhanced safety plans in response to the planned visit.

Fresno Unified has responded to FTA’s criticism, emphasizing that they are working closely with the entities involved and purposely have kept a low profile so as not to put more of a spotlight on the Westboro demonstration.

“We want to reassure our community that we have been working closely with Roosevelt High School, Fresno Police Department, and our safety and communications teams to prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and staff,” spokeswoman Nikki Henry said. “We recognize the concerns surrounding this event, but we have intentionally limited public communication to avoid giving undue attention to this hateful group. Press releases, media coverage, and public discourse only serve to amplify their message, and we refuse to play into that narrative. Our focus remains on maintaining a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for our students and staff. We are confident in our plans to ensure minimal disruption and provide the necessary support and protection during this time.”