Protests counter Westboro pickets

Protests counter Westboro Baptist Church pickets at Gonzaga University, Ferris High School and Eastern Washington University.

Section:Gallery

Thu., Oct. 21, 2010

Gonzaga students share an embrace during a witness for justice gathering near the reflecting pool of St. Ignatius outside of College Hall October 21, 2010. Hundreds of students, staff and faculty assembled while the Westboro Baptist Church members picketed across campus.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Gonzaga University president, Dr. Thayne McCulloh, reflects during his presentation at a gathering of hundreds of students, staff and faculty at College Hall as members of the Westboro Baptist Church protest across campus on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Hundreds of students, faculty and staff assembled outside College Hall at Gonzaga Univeristy for a witness for justice gathering as members of the Westboro Baptist Church picketed across campus on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Shirley Phelps-Roper, of the Westboro Baptist Church, shares her point of view while standing on the corner of Cincinnati and Spokane Falls Blvd in Spokane, Wash., on Thursday, October 21, 2010.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
An American flag lays in a heap at the feet of a Westboro Baptist Church member during their protest near the Gonzaga University campus on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Hand-printed signs are written during the Westboro Baptist Church protest on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at the corner of Spokane Falls and Cincinnati in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Combat Vet Riders get a thumbs up from a community member that gathered to protest the Westboro Baptist Church picket at the corner of Spokane Fall Blvd and Cincinnati on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Members of the Combat Vets Riders turn their backs on protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church at the corner of Spokane Falls and Cincinnati on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Simon Jones, 41, and Tessa Anstine, 24, slap a high-five as they discover they brought similiar signs on the corner of Spokane Falls Blvd and Cincinnati to protest members of the Westboro Baptist Church on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Gonzaga University students, faculty and staff fill the plaza outside College Hall as members of the Westboro Baptist Church stage their protest on the outskirts of campus on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Young members of the Westboro Baptist Church display their signs at the corner of Spokane Falls Blvd. and Cincinnati on Thursday, October 21, 2010 near Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Mahala Collins, 26, and her partner, Maylisa Pennington, 18, showed up early and stayed late to protest the members of the Westboro Baptist Church on Thursday, October 21, 2010 near Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
A young member of the Westboro Baptist Church displays his signs on Thursday, October 21, 2010 near the Gonzaga University campus in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Gonzaga University students bow their heads in prayer during a gathering outside College Hall on Thursday, October 21, 2010 as members of the Westboro Baptist Church protest on the edge of campus in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Counter-protesters show their colors to members of the Westboro Baptist Church on Thursday, October 21, 2010 near the Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
An eagle circles above a group of students and community members as they gather to protest the Westboro Baptist Church picketers at the corner of Spokane Falls Blvd and Cincinnati on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
A mob of counter-protesters shout at the Westboro Baptist Church members as the two groups line 37th Avenue and Regal Street on Thursday, October 21, 2010 near Ferris High School in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
With a Westboro Baptist Church member standing on an American flag, a pair of female counter-protesters kiss as they drive past along 37th Avenue at Regal on Thursday, October 21, 2010 near Ferris High School in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Lauren McIntosh, 24, and her son, Nathan Ennis, 15 months, along with Rost Olsen, 22, shout out against the Westboro Baptist Church members at the corner of 37th and Regal on Thursday, October 21, 2010 near Ferris High School in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Counter-protesters shout their position to members of the Westboro Baptist Church picketers on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at the corner of 37th and Regal near Ferris High School in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
A counter-protester offers Westboro Baptist Church members a ride out of town in his hearseon Thursday, October 21, 2010 near Ferris High School in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Counter-protesters shout at members of the Westboro Baptist Church picketers on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at the corner of 37th and Regal near Ferris High School Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Spokane Police officers keep a close watch on members of the Westboro Baptist Church at the corner of 37th and Regal on Thursday, October 21, 2010 near Ferris High School in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Motorcyclists joined the crowd of counter-protests against members of the Westboro Baptist Church at the corner of 37th and Regal on Thursday, October 21, 2010 near Ferris High School in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
A counter-protester offers peace to members of the Westboro Baptist Church at the corner of 37th and Regal, on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Counter-protesters line in street in response to members of the Westboro Baptist Church picketers on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at Eastern Washington University on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Cheney, Wash.

Kevin Graman The Spokesman Review
Crowds start to amass on the Eastern Washington University campus before the arrival of Westboro Baptist Church picketers on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010.

Andrew Zahler The Spokesman-Review
Two unidentified women hold signs supporting the military before the Westboro Baptist Church picketers arrived at Eastern Washington University on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010. The Westboro group frequently targets the funerals of servicemembers.

Andrew Zahler The Spokesman-Review
Counter-protesters gather in response to members of the Westboro Baptist Church picketers on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at Eastern Washington University on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Cheney Wash.

Kevin Graman The Spokesman Review
A member of Spokane's Jewish community who would not give his name holds the Israeli flag during a counterprotest of the Westboro Baptist Church at Moody Bible College.

Andrew Zahler The Spokesman-Review
Andrea Goddard, center, Michelle Flowers and O'Shea, a service dog, take part in the counterprotest at Moody Bible College. Goddard and Flowers say they are part of Spokane's pagan community and wanted to come out against the Westboro Baptist Church's message of hate.

Andrew Zahler The Spokesman-Review