VIDEO: Counter-protesters Share Messages of Love

It was clear from the turnout that some area residents did not agree with Tuesday when they protested outside Northwestern High School in Hyattsville.

From the moment , known for its anti-homosexual stance and for picketing at funerals of fallen soldiers, residents geared up to counter-protest.

University Park resident Nicole Lucier started a Facebook group to recruit residents last week in preparation, while the HOPE listserv was inundated with comments and ideas about .

Yet, on Tuesday to support the students and the community.

“We’re not happy that there here,” said Fran Bilotta, of University Park. “We’re here to spread love, tolerance and not hate.”

Leanne Poteet, of University Park, brought her three children to the counter-protest to experience it and to share their ideas.

"It's a lot bigger than I thought it would be," Poteet said. "We hoped to meet their hate with love."

Chloe Martin-Poteet, 14, who attends Friends Community School in College Park, and her brothers Graham and Julien, said they loved having the opportunity to share their message.

Julien had the opportunity to interview members of Westboro Baptist Church on camera. He said he was surprised by how calm they were.

"It was weird [talking to them]," Julien said, "I think it shows that we love more—that we can overcome their hatred."

Brentwood resident Mary Wine graduated from Northwestern and has brothers who attends the school.
“I’m here to support the gay, lesbian, bi[sexual] community, any and all diversity,” Wine said. “I think it’s wrong what Westboro Church is doing. They have no right to judge anybody for their sexual preference, their life preferences.”

Although students from Northwestern were told they should ignore the protesting, some students decided to join the protest anyway, before the school day started.

“I’m here because I’m representing all the LGBT community, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community, against hate,” said Sierra Fenner, 18, a Northwestern senior. “Because gay people do go to church, they do worship God. God is the judge. God accepts everyone, he is forgiving, and for Westboro Church to say that … gay people go to hell – completely wrong. He accepts everyone.”

A school administrator told the students around 9:15 a.m. that they should go inside.

“We’ll hold the line, we’ll keep up the fight, but you need to go to class,” she told them.

Allendra Letsome, membership vice president for the National Organization of Women (NOW), said, “This is my local community and the fact that these people are coming here and spreading their message of hate and intolerance – just all-around bad stuff – I’m not going to support it.”

Letsome, of Hyattsville, added that NOW doesn’t support any form of intolerance.

“I’m going to stand with the Northwestern students. I’m going to stand with Prince George’s County. I’m going to stand with Hyattsville to say that they’re not welcome here,” she said.