FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Police were gearing up for drama both inside and outside Framingham High School Friday as a conservative religious group from Kansas protested the performance of a play dealing with gay prejudice. Officers closed off streets around the school and restricted parking around the campus complex as both groups squared off outside the school, carrying signs and singing. About five protesters from the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, which stages demonstrations outside military funerals and gay-rights events, brought its message to the school Friday morning. The group's leaders, holding signs that said “Thank God for dead soldiers,” said it is its sacred duty to warn others of God's anger over homosexuality, and its slogan is “God hates fags.” “This 'Laramie Project' is what brought us,” said Shirley Phelps-Roper while other group members sang a religious song, “This Little Light of Mine.” Wearing a hat that had the word “Obey” on it, she called the play a “tool that teaches children rebellion against God.” School bus loads of counter-protesters showed up, however, to sing their own songs. “We're all about love, that's pretty much it. Like, that's only promoting love. Not putting them down or anything. We even said 'We love you,' and they walked away,” said Ari Forrester. “I wanted to stand up and be counted on the side of tolerance and live and let live,” said counter protester Ed Herbert. The school's drama director said the play is not about what the group may think it's about. “The play does not promote homosexuality. The play is about a community healing from a hate crime. That's really what it's about, but that's not how they see it,” said Donna Wresinski. Some of the drama students said they've received more positive feedback about the play than negative. “I've got some negative stuff, but we've received so many letters from people that we don't even know, just being like, 'Congratulations on doing this play, this is so exciting. This is a great issue for you guys,'” said student Chloe Kounadis. She said some students are planning to hold a rally of their own to convey a positive message. “It's not about trying to shush them, it's about spreading our message, and our message is that love is louder than hate,” Kounadis said. The protest by the Kansas group was short. It is also planning protests at Harvard, Brandeis and at the Islamic Center of Boston. added by: TimALoftis
