Westboro Baptist Church announced earlier this year that they were coming to Fort Hays State University to demonstrate their belief that higher education “teaches nothing but f** lies and promotes filth in place of an edifying educational experience,” according to WBC’s website. Coming to FHSU was just one of WBCs twelve stops for this graduation season, eleven in Kansas and one in Colorado.
FHSU students were offended after learning that WBC was going to demonstrate at the graduation. Many students wanted to counter-demonstrate WBC and started social network groups trying to plan the counter-demonstration.
When it was finally time to celebrate the achievements of the 2014 FHSU graduates, as promised, WBC was present demonstrating their beliefs. WBC set up behind Stroup Hall on the north side of Gustad Drive around 9:30 a.m. with their normal signs stating that “God hates F***.” Westboro Baptist Church decided to bring only eight people to this demonstration and with such a small group WBC did not cause any trouble during the ceremony.
However, since there was a little more tension added to this year’s graduation, not only were FHSU police present but the Hays police Department and Kansas Highway Patrol were also involved with security.
Across the street on the south side of Gustad Drive the anti-WBC demonstrators stood with signs and flags. This group was also fairly small, about ten people, consisting primarily of FHSU students. A minister and motorcyclist, and three of his companions came with their bikes to demonstrate against WBC.
Inside Gross Memorial Coliseum, the atmosphere of the ceremony was focused on the graduates and the presence of WBC was not felt.
“I think the school did a good job of putting the attention on celebrating the graduates instead of Westboro. My department (Communication Studies) had a great day graduating together and they (WBC) weren’t mentioned at all the day of graduation. Everyone at FHSU made sure the class of 2014 was the focus for the day, which I think we were all thankful for,” said Christina Smith, Salina graduate student.
Westboro Baptist Church left the campus at 10:05 a.m. after only thirty five minutes. The anti-demonstrators left shortly after, leaving the rest of the day to for the graduates to celebrate their day with their friends and family.
Their widdle feewings was ”offended” lol. sissies.