A small group of counter-protestors gathered across from St. Aloysius Church on Friday to stand with supporters of Tom Foley, and demonstrate against members Westboro Baptist Church.
Foley, former Speaker of the House and representative of Spokane’s 5th Congressional District, passed away on Oct. 18. A memorial for him was held on Gonzaga’s campus on Friday morning.
Westboro stated in a press release that they were going to protest the memorial because of Foley’s pro-choice views and his Catholic faith. Members of Westboro, though, didn’t show. Westboro has a history of threatening to protest at funerals and not showing up.
I am thankful that the WBC did not show up. I have struggled over the past few days to find words other than “BAD/WRONG” to describe how I feel about people who protest funerals. The ones I could come up with are:
“Desecrate” (literally “make not sacred”)
“Despicable” (deserving hatred and contempt)
Anyway. Thank you, counter-protesters, for being ready.
Under the principle that turning on the lights causes the cockroaches to scatter, while it is a nice thing that the bigots didn’t show up for their own affair, one should not lapse into thinking they have creased to exist, or that others of like mind are not out there, radiating their shriveled philosophies under the radar. Thinking of the Southern Poverty Law Centers long years of hard work, there is a certain advantage to people of ill will revealing themselves, to be seen in contrast to those of good will, that all may be seen for what they are and what they truly stand for.
To paraphrase, by their fruits shall ye know them all.