Residents Support Northwestern High School as Westboro Baptist Church Protests the School

Update, 10:15 a.m., Cpl. Mike Rudinski , of the Hyattsville Police Department, asked counter-protesters to exit the premises shortly after 10 a.m., so that Northwestern students could return to their regular school day.

After two hours of peaceful picketing from both sides, police remained on scene to control traffic and encouraging people to disperse.

Several University Park councilmembers and Police Chief Michael Wynnyk commented on how calm it was.

Update, 9:45 a.m.: The Westboro Baptist Church protesters have left Northwestern High School, as the crowd of about 200 counter-protesters cheered.

The counter-protesters remain in place.

Update, 9:26 a.m.: About 12 protesters from Westboro Baptist Church have shown up to demonstrate near Northwestern High School this morning.

One of the protesters, Jael Phelps, 26, of Topeka, Kan., said that they chose Northwestern because it is a large school in the area.

"It's our duty to prevent kids going to hell," Phelps said, adding that the reason they would go to hell is because America allows homosexuality.

Phelps said that once they leave Northwestern, they plan to go to the FBI Academy in Quantico and will go home to Kansas Wednesday.

One of the organizers of the counter-protesters, Nicole Lucier, said that it needs to be clear that the community doesn't support the actions of the Westboro members.

Northwestern student Emma Gentle said, "I'm here to support my school. I don't think being gay is a choice. They are saying, "'Thank God for dead soldiers.' What kind of Christians are those?"

Original post, 8:45 a.m.: at Northwestern High School in Hyattsville at 9 a.m. today, and

Lynn McCawley, a spokeswoman with the Prince George's County Public Schools, handed a letter to Patch that read as follows (the letter was dated Feb. 23, 2011):

Prince George’s County Public Schools was notified this week by the Hyattsville Police Department of a protest scheduled for March 1, 2011, by the Westboro Baptist Church, based in Kansas. The protest will take place on public property adjacent to Northwestern High School in Hyattsville. Westboro protestors will not be allowed on school property.

To ensure the safety of students and staff, PGCPS Security Services will coordinate with security staff at Northwestern High School to provide additional security staff on March 1. Hyattsville City Police will also be on site, and are coordinating efforts with Prince George’s County Police.

The Prince George’s County Board of Education and school system administration do not share or endorse the views of this organization, and are committed to supporting all of the students and staff in our diverse population.