Church Group to Protest York High School Play
Posted: February 06, 2007 2:19 PM EST
URL: http://www.abc27.com/news/stories/0207/394840.html

YORK, Pa. (AP) - Churches and human rights groups in York County are preparing for an expected protest by members of the Westboro Baptist Church. "The Laramie Project," a play being produced Saturday at York Suburban High School, deals with the murder of homosexual college student Matthew Shepard in 1998 near Laramie, Wyoming.

Westboro church member Shirley Phelps-Roper, the daughter of pastor Fred Phelps, says members plan to protest the play because it promotes acceptance of what they consider a sinful lifestyle and a "rebellion against God."

Amy Van Dyke of the state Human Relations Commission told a meeting Monday that members of the Silent Witnesses group plan to stand between the protesters and the public to act as a physical and emotional buffer, and encourage the public not to interact with the protesters.