Hundreds of protesters showed up in Owasso on March 6 to demonstrate against the Westboro Baptist Church, an extremist group out of Topeka, Kansas, in the wake of Nex Benedict’s death.

 Art Haddaway, Owasso Reporter

Barbara Gammill was among the first group of protesters that showed up to rally against Westboro Baptist Church picketers on Wednesday, March 6.

“I was taught acceptance, and I fully believe that love is love, so they can take their hate elsewhere,” Gammill said.

Westboro, an extremist group from Topeka, Kansas, known for protesting funerals of soldiers and other events, picketed two Owasso school sites in the wake of Nex Benedict’s high-profile death last month.

Ian Harris waves a transgender flag at a counter protest Wednesday to show support for LGBTQ+ youth while people from Westboro Baptist Church picket in front of Owasso High School in response to student Nex Benedict’s death.

Benedict, 16, who identified as nonbinary and used gender-neutral pronouns, died Feb. 8, one day after being involved in a fight inside a restroom at Owasso High School.

Benedict’s death has brought international attention as detectives continue to investigate details and evidence related to the Feb. 7 altercation amid public outcry over whether the sophomore was the target of a hate crime.

Despite growing division surrounding the case, Gammill on Wednesday promoted “Peace and happiness ONLY,” according to the sign she was holding, countering those carried by Westboro, which espoused rhetoric against the LGBTQ+ community.

Dozens of activists confronted seven members of Westboro, first outside Owasso Public Schools’ Dale C. Johnson Education Service Center, then outside Owasso High School, where hundreds more assembled to demonstrate against the radical group.

“I’m here to show my son that it’s OK to stand up for yourself and for others, even though you have the negative coming against you,” said protester Susie Eubank, a member of the LGBTQ+ community. “Right now, we’re just focused on spreading some love and protecting our kids.”

Fellow protester Gordon Jones, a concerned Texan, added: “I drove from Dallas this morning to be here. I’m a father, and I care about humanity. I just wanted to join and help out as much as I can. I need to represent; I need to be a face and a name of people that care.”

Members of the Parasol Patrol hold rainbow-colored umbrellas to shield students from the picket signs of the Westboro Baptist Church group across the street from Owasso High School.

Other activists from out of state, like Sam Shim, a coordinator for Parasol Patrol’s Ohio chapter, made the nearly 12-hour journey from Columbus, Ohio, to walk alongside Wednesday’s activists. Parasol Patrol is a national organization with numerous chapters that provide hearing protection and use umbrellas to block the view of signs as they peacefully walk between hate groups and children with their families.

“We have rainbow umbrellas; that’s our weapon,” Shim said. “We’re just there to shield children from some of the hate speech that gets said. We just want to make sure that kids don’t feel threatened when they (Westboro) are around.”

Protesters from all walks of life — from members of the LGBTQ+ community to congregants of local churches — carried signs that read: “Be kind,” “Protect trans kids,” “God is supposed to be love,” “No hate in the 918” and “Knowledge without love = nothing.”

“God loves everyone; God doesn’t hate anyone,” said Philip Watson, a Christian protester. “I’m here to support all of God’s children and to represent what God truly means.”

Virginia Reeves, a member of the Church of the Holy Cross in Owasso, added: “It is important (to protest against Westboro) because all of God’s children are loved and welcomed, and we want everybody to know that there are places for them, and they’re not alone.”

Owasso students staged a walkout on Feb. 26 to amplify the bullying discussion following Benedict’s death.

Owasso Public Schools is facing a federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights on whether the district failed to appropriately respond to allegations of student harassment.

Superintendent Margaret Coates in a letter Wednesday issued the following statement following Westboro’s visit to Owasso:

“The district is deeply grateful for the support of our safety and security team, as well as the Owasso Police Department and our many local and state law enforcement partners who helped ensure the well-being of all involved during this non-school-sponsored, off-campus event.

Ian Harris waves a transgender flag at a counter protest Wednesday to show support for LGBTQ+ youth while people from Westboro Baptist Church picket in front of Owasso High School in response to student Nex Benedict’s death.

“Recognizing that events like this can lead to added stress, I encourage all students and staff to take advantage of the supportive resources that are available through the district and other organizations. OPS will also continue our own efforts to foster an environment where everyone feels heard and supported.

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art.haddaway@owassoreporter.com