The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) has announced that it will picket the performance of The Laramie Project at the Hoogland Center for the Arts in Springfield, IL on Friday, November 13, 2009. This group has gained notoriety over the years for its highly charged denunciation of gays and lesbians, including the picketing of military funerals.

Members and friends of the Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Church (ALUUC) are planning a counter-demonstration (permit pending). The Rev. Martin Woulfe will conduct a training session in the philosophy and techniques of non-violent counter-protest at ALUUC on Thursday, November 12 at 8 p.m.

Regardless of whether a permit is granted for a counter-demonstration, those who wish to Stand on the Side of Love and against this demonstration of hate by WBC are invited to pledge donations to The Phoenix Center. You may wish to pledge based on the amount of time that WBC protesters are present; pre-fixed pledge amounts are also welcome. Checks should be made out to "The Phoenix Center" and mailed to: 109 E Lawrence Ave, Springfield, IL 62704.

Please note: Submitting your pledge through this Web page is purely voluntary. ALUUC will not sell, rent, share, or otherwise disclose your information under any circumstances. The information collected will only be used for the purposes of tallying and promoting the total positive impact of the 11/13/09 events.