Hate group coming to Pittsburgh on Oct 5 (Oakland: attorneys, lawsuits)

[DaisyDaisy]

Intentionally not using their name because I don't actually want them to give them what they want, which is attention.

I totally understand why they'd close Central and Oakland Catholic early just to avoid traffic issues during dismissal but it's a bummer that this group can have any impact like that. I've heard of some people planning peaceful counter protest in Oakland. Just be careful because this group likes to stir things up.

[AaronPGH]

we should all just be letting them fade off into nothing. ignore.

[DaisyDaisy]

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

we should all just be letting them fade off into nothing. ignore.

Totally. I guess I should have said that too but I realize that some people feel like their ideal response is a peaceful protest. A great scenario is people just ignore them like they aren't even there.

[gg]

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

we should all just be letting them fade off into nothing. ignore.

That would be the SMART thing to do, but lets face it they will get the rise they want because there will be some idiots creating a mess and then the press will get hold of it and BOOM, they get the publicity. I wish people would ignore them. Lets hope they do their little 10 person protest and people just walk by without giving them the time of day. Come on Pittsburgh, you can ignore them for a few hours!!!

[AaronPGH]

Honestly Trump sort of stole the show from them lately. Maybe they're feeling a little neglected?

[szug-bot]

Actually, I disagree about ignoring - at least with Westboro Baptist Church.

Now, the others - the neo-nazis (if that is still the term used), white separatists, et al, I just shook my head because I am old enough now to know ignoring them is the BEST course of action.

They have ALWAYS been around (check youtube videos from 80s shows like Geraldo, Sally, Oprah....) but never really take root. This is because people age, then realize what idiots they were in their youth (whether they were in extreme political groups or not). So their numbers really never swell, assuming their members drop off and become...well, mainstream.

And the Federal government, despite the common sentiment (which I disagree with), DOES their job and monitors them for potential violence. It has likely prevented numerous violent incidents by the violent factions of the far right.

Westboro is different, though. Their messages can be diffused with peaceful standoff. In my opinion, this has been done very successfully by wonderful people over the years. One of the most profound statements I saw here in Pittsburgh was this: "What Jesus said about homosexuality: " (there was nothing that followed the text.

How many people were reached by those counter protests of inclusion, tolerance, patience, and love? I bet a lot.

[DaisyDaisy]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

Actually, I disagree about ignoring - at least with Westboro Baptist Church.

Now, the others - the neo-nazis (if that is still the term used), white separatists, et al, I just shook my head because I am old enough now to know ignoring them is the BEST course of action.

They have ALWAYS been around (check youtube videos from 80s shows like Geraldo, Sally, Oprah....) but never really take root. This is because people age, then realize what idiots they were in their youth (whether they were in extreme political groups or not). So their numbers really never swell, assuming their members drop off and become...well, mainstream.

And the Federal government, despite the common sentiment (which I disagree with), DOES their job and monitors them for potential violence. It has likely prevented numerous violent incidents by the violent factions of the far right.

Westboro is different, though. Their messages can be diffused with peaceful standoff. In my opinion, this has been done very successfully by wonderful people over the years. One of the most profound statements I saw here in Pittsburgh was this: "What Jesus said about homosexuality: " (there was nothing that followed the text.

How many people were reached by those counter protests of inclusion, tolerance, patience, and love? I bet a lot.

Fair point. I think you'll see some of that; heard of some already being planned.

[8YearsinPittsburgh]

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

Honestly Trump sort of stole the show from them lately. Maybe they're feeling a little neglected?

LOL good point!

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

Actually, I disagree about ignoring - at least with Westboro Baptist Church.

Now, the others - the neo-nazis (if that is still the term used), white separatists, et al, I just shook my head because I am old enough now to know ignoring them is the BEST course of action.

They have ALWAYS been around (check youtube videos from 80s shows like Geraldo, Sally, Oprah....) but never really take root. This is because people age, then realize what idiots they were in their youth (whether they were in extreme political groups or not). So their numbers really never swell, assuming their members drop off and become...well, mainstream.

And the Federal government, despite the common sentiment (which I disagree with), DOES their job and monitors them for potential violence. It has likely prevented numerous violent incidents by the violent factions of the far right.

Westboro is different, though. Their messages can be diffused with peaceful standoff. In my opinion, this has been done very successfully by wonderful people over the years. One of the most profound statements I saw here in Pittsburgh was this: "What Jesus said about homosexuality: " (there was nothing that followed the text.

How many people were reached by those counter protests of inclusion, tolerance, patience, and love? I bet a lot.

I think they should be completely ignored. Their entire schtick is to be inflammatory as possible to get a reaction that in some way can be construed to violate their constitutional right to protest & then immediately file lawsuits as many of their members are attorneys. It’s a big (very lucrative) money making scheme & nothing more by the scumbags. If they were completely ignored & they ability to make money dried up they would crawl back into the woodwork as their protests are not rooted in any moral convictions.

[svband76]

Hating the haters? It's just a group exercising freedom of speech.