Fred Phelps Information

[DonaldH675@aol.com]

Melynda here again, this time wearing my professional bonnet--

Some of you may know that my day job is Director of WSU's Gay, Lesbian, 
Bisexual, and Allies Program.  Fred Phelps is no stranger to anyone who does 
advocacy work in higher education, and we've built up a profile with 
important information.

1.   It's pretty unlikely that he'll come.  He does a booming business in 
press releases, hoping for lots of local publicity and media coverage, but 
he's not rich enough to get his "family" everywhere he threatens to go.  That 
doesn't mean we shouldn't prepare--fully--for his arrival, but don't lose any 
sleep over it. 

2.  Phelp's money comes mainly from lawsuits--the whole family are lawyers.  
S.O.P. is to sue the university for failing to provide a venue, or the right 
venue, and then to sue anyone foolish enough to get within arm's reach for 
assault.  If you've got to get a look at him, for goodness sake stay far 
away.  Don't shake hands, don't offer them a drink of water, don't let your 
temper get the better of you.  It's best if the campus can muster a solid 
police presence to ensure that no agent provocateur from the Phelps clan gets 
out into the crowd and then falls down hollering that somebody hit her.

3.  The most effective preventative measure appears to be a local fundraiser 
in which citizens pledge money to a local gay rights organization in direct 
proportion to the length of Fred's demonstration.   You know, $1 for every 
minute they picket, or some such amount.  Our local Pride Foundation might be 
a good beneficiary.  Then if Phelps does arrive, we make sure he knows just 
how much money he's raising for local scholarships or other projects, minute 
by minute.   It's worked in other communities (and of course, if he doesn't 
show, people may still donate!)

Best,

Melynda Huskey