Counterprotest in Lynnwood

[solarbird]

Okay, so, last CWUs included notice of the Watchmen on the Walls anti-GBLT rally being held in the Lynnwood convention centre. This group's featured speakers at this hate group's meeting include Holocaust revisionist Scott Lively, who claims that queers, not good Germans, orchestrated the Holocaust, and downplays (if not ignores) the fact that lesbian and gay people were targets of said Holocaust, and local fundamentalist leaders Reverend Ken Hutcherson of Antioch Bible Church in Kirkland and Pastor Joe Fuiten of Faith and Freedom Network.

Watchmen on the Walls has a reputation for violence and has attacked GBLT people physically in the past, in addition to their apparent endorsement of Holocause-revisionism. Here's the counter-protest notice:

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Official Protest Notice for Lynnwood Watchmen Conference
posted by DAVID SCHMADER on OCTOBER 17 at 14:05 PM

http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/official_protest_notice_for_lynnwood_wat

Slog tipper Levi passed along the official announcement:

ANTI-HATE PROTEST RALLY ALERT

Yes, it is happening this weekend and NO they are NOT welcome in our community! Let’s let them know it! RAIN OR SHINE!!! LOUD and PROUD!!!

A peaceful protest is planned for this Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007. It is our goal to surround the Convention Center located at 3711 196 St. SW, Lynnwood, 98036 at 9:30 a.m. Their conference begins at 11:00 and we want to greet them as they arrive.

Please follow these simple rules:

DO NOT block sidewalks, intersections doorways or driveways.

DO NOT stoop to the their level of hatred. Try not to be offensive and DO NOT be physical with any conference attendee.

DO wear bright colors and draw attention to our cause

Children are welcome (so let’s set a good example for them)

Bring banners, signs, balloons, & any creative way to express your opinion

IF anyone has a sound system or bullhorn they can bring this would be terrific! Chanting would be awesome! Singing would be great! I’d love to see us all link arms in a full showing of unity and support of one another and pray that THEY replace their hatred with love and acceptance. No one is born a bigot, it is a choice that can be changed.

There will be no formal presentation. We simply want to gather as they enter so they can see a large showing of people from all walks of life, all ages, genders and sexual orientation telling them that Snohomish County is NO place for hate.

This conference has drawn wonderful news attention. There will be media present and plenty of show of force by the Lynnwood P.D. Let’s make it a turn out that is talked about for a long, long time!

Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us that “Silence is Betrayal” and we must not ever turn our backs on prejudices. We must look it in the eye and say “YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE” Let’s remember and respect everyone’s right to free speech and to religious freedom, but let’s speak loud and proud and make it known that all people are loved in the eyes of the Great Spirit.

Thanks to protest organizer Cindy, who says she’ll be “wearing a rainbow tie-dyed sweatshirt with a large rainbow umbrella.”