The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) of Topeka, Kan. is best known for its extreme stance against homosexuality and its protest activities, which include picketing funerals of American soldiers and violating the American flag. WBC has conducted over 30,000 pickets in all 50 states. On Monday, Clayton High School students, including me, got a taste of Westboro when six members of the church conducted a picket at the school.

Beginning at 7:50 am, these six lined up outside the high school carrying hateful signs saying, “America is doomed,” “God is your enemy” and “God hates you.” For 30 minutes the picketing continued as members of Westboro spat on the American flag and stomped on it, as well as changed the words of “God Bless America” to “God Hates America.” However, the six members were no match for the hundreds of counter-protesters who arrived on behalf of Clayton High. An overwhelming sense of pride came over the counter-protesters as more people trickled in by the second.

Clayton High’s Gay Straight Alliance Club organized the counter-protest, and sold shirts, bracelets, and signs to help raise money for its club. However, no one expected the counter-protest to go off so smoothly.

“It was incredible. I thought CHS as well as the rest of the community that came to support us did a great job of getting our message across without hostility or chaos,” said Andrea Hermann, a Clayton high senior and leader of the GSA. “We had a goal set, which was to make the counter-protest about the community coming together and that’s exactly what we did. In the end, I think the support from the students and staff, as well as people from outside of Clayton, was really what made it a success.”

Although Westboro will surely continue protesting against gays, soldiers, Jews, and many other groups, Clayton High as well as the rest of the community did an incredible job of coming together against these hateful people. I am proud to say that I was able to witness the protest, and if I could ask one thing of members of Westboro Baptist Church, it would be for them to open their minds and realize they are no match for the rest of America.