Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Fresno Leaders Unite to Condemn Kansas Anti-Gay Group Coming to Roosevelt
Tony tries to stay on the Website
By Anthony W. Haddad
Published 5 months ago on
October 25, 2024

Fresno leaders, like Fresno City Councilmember Luis Chavez (left) and Council President Annalisa Perea, and organizations are condemning the planned anti-LGBTQ+ protests by the Westboro Baptist Church near local high schools, emphasizing the city's commitment to inclusivity and safety. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
“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!” — Councilmember Luis Chavez

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.

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.

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.” 

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Fresno Suspect Arrested for DUI, Firearm Possession at Olive and Blackstone

DON'T MISS

Smoke Shop Ordinance Eludes Divided Fresno City Council

DON'T MISS

Khalil Sues Columbia and Lawmakers to Keep Activists’ Names Secret

DON'T MISS

Judge Orders Musk and His Team to Turn Over Records and Answer Questions

DON'T MISS

Peach Pits? No Name for SE Fresno Sports Complex for Now

DON'T MISS

Johns Hopkins to Cut More Than 2,000 Workers Funded by Federal Aid

DON'T MISS

Starvation Is Not a Negotiating Tactic

DON'T MISS

Atmospheric River Soaks Fresno With 1.5 Inches of Rain and More Ahead

DON'T MISS

March Megastorm May Bring Blizzards, Tornadoes, Flooding and Even Fires Across Much of US

DON'T MISS

Democratic Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva Dies From Complications From Cancer Treatment

UP NEXT

Smoke Shop Ordinance Eludes Divided Fresno City Council

UP NEXT

Khalil Sues Columbia and Lawmakers to Keep Activists’ Names Secret

UP NEXT

Judge Orders Musk and His Team to Turn Over Records and Answer Questions

UP NEXT

Peach Pits? No Name for SE Fresno Sports Complex for Now

UP NEXT

Johns Hopkins to Cut More Than 2,000 Workers Funded by Federal Aid

UP NEXT

Starvation Is Not a Negotiating Tactic

UP NEXT

Atmospheric River Soaks Fresno With 1.5 Inches of Rain and More Ahead

UP NEXT

March Megastorm May Bring Blizzards, Tornadoes, Flooding and Even Fires Across Much of US

UP NEXT

Democratic Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva Dies From Complications From Cancer Treatment

UP NEXT

Country Star Clint Black Brings ‘Back on the Blacktop’ Tour to Chukchansi

Anthony W. Haddad,
Multimedia Journalist
Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and has an MBA at Fresno State, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.

Judge Orders Musk and His Team to Turn Over Records and Answer Questions

8 hours ago

Peach Pits? No Name for SE Fresno Sports Complex for Now

8 hours ago

Johns Hopkins to Cut More Than 2,000 Workers Funded by Federal Aid

8 hours ago

Starvation Is Not a Negotiating Tactic

8 hours ago

Atmospheric River Soaks Fresno With 1.5 Inches of Rain and More Ahead

8 hours ago

March Megastorm May Bring Blizzards, Tornadoes, Flooding and Even Fires Across Much of US

9 hours ago

Democratic Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva Dies From Complications From Cancer Treatment

9 hours ago

Country Star Clint Black Brings ‘Back on the Blacktop’ Tour to Chukchansi

10 hours ago

State Labor Board Hands Another Defeat to Clovis Unified

10 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Chief Casto and Keeping Fresno Safe

10 hours ago

Fresno Suspect Arrested for DUI, Firearm Possession at Olive and Blackstone

A driver was arrested on multiple charges after allegedly brandishing a firearm and driving recklessly near Olive and Blackstone avenues, au...

7 hours ago

A driver with a prior felony conviction was arrested near Olive and Blackstone avenues for DUI and firearm possession after allegedly brandishing a gun and driving recklessly. (Fresno PD)
7 hours ago

Fresno Suspect Arrested for DUI, Firearm Possession at Olive and Blackstone

7 hours ago

Smoke Shop Ordinance Eludes Divided Fresno City Council

Demonstrators rally with the flag of Palestine outside the federal courthouse in lower Manhattan to protest the detention and potential deportation of Mahmoud Khalil in New York, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Mahmoud, 30, a pro-Palestinian student activist at Columbia University, was detained by immigration agents at Columbia student housing, despite his status as a legal resident of the United States. (Juan Arredondo/The New York Times)
8 hours ago

Khalil Sues Columbia and Lawmakers to Keep Activists’ Names Secret

President Donald Trump walks with Elon Musk and his son X AE A-Xii, after looking at Tesla vehicles on the South Grounds of the White House in Washington, March 11, 2025. A federal judge in Washington ordered Musk and operatives involved with his Department of Government Efficiency to hand over an assortment of documents and written answers addressing its role in the government, a perch from which the unit has effected mass firings of federal workers and a dramatic dismantling of federal programs. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
8 hours ago

Judge Orders Musk and His Team to Turn Over Records and Answer Questions

8 hours ago

Peach Pits? No Name for SE Fresno Sports Complex for Now

The campus of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Nov. 1, 2017. Johns Hopkins University, a leader in scientific research, has been hard hit by the Trump administration’s spending cuts, which will slash at least $800 million from its budget. (Andrew Mangum/The New York Times)
8 hours ago

Johns Hopkins to Cut More Than 2,000 Workers Funded by Federal Aid

Food is passed out to residents in Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip on March 10, 2025. (Saher Alghorra/The New York Times)
8 hours ago

Starvation Is Not a Negotiating Tactic

8 hours ago

Atmospheric River Soaks Fresno With 1.5 Inches of Rain and More Ahead

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend