Monday, June 28, 1999
Crusader outed from his hotel
By CHRISTA DELANEY, Ottawa Sun
Anti-gay crusader Pastor Fred Phelps and his group of
gay-hating crusaders are hiding behind aliases after a local hotel
cancelled their reservation.
The group is expected to descend on the Supreme Court this
morning to protest the recent decision granting equal rights to gay
and lesbian couples.
The hotel cancellation has irked Shirley Phelps-Roper, a lawyer
who works alongside her father at the Westboro Baptist Church
in Topeka, Kan. "Canadians are hypocrites -- saying that you
won't discriminate against gays and then discriminating against us
because of our religion."
The dozen protesters may have to cancel some plans of their
own as rain may force them to abandon plans to torch the
Canadian flag.
(Note: It's the first time in weeks that Ottawa has had significant
rainfall. Apparently God really wants him to succeed. - Joe)
"They'll be there but they'll be leaving their options of what to do
open," said Phelps-Roper yesterday afternoon from Topeka.
Regional police are on alert in case the protest -- scheduled from
11 a.m. until 2 p.m. -- turns ugly.
In response to the Phelps' protest, a noon-time vigil has been
organized by Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere
(EGALE) and has received support from local politicians, church
groups and organizations.
The Ottawa demonstration is Phelps' second stop in Canada. He
also planned to demonstrate at yesterday's Gay Pride parade in
Toronto.
EGALE executive director John Fisher, who participated in the
Gay Pride parade, said he saw no sign of Phelps. "If he was
there, he had no impact on the celebration."
Return to The Skeptic Tank's main Index page.
The views and opinions stated within this web page are those of the
author or authors which wrote them and may not reflect the views and
opinions of the ISP or account user which hosts the web page. The
opinions may or may not be those of the Chairman of The Skeptic Tank.