[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Human Rights Commission Encourages Citizens to Ignore the Message of Hate

[Press Releases]

The following press release can be found online at:
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Health/healthdepartmentnewsandpressreleases.php


For Immediate Release
May 12, 2009

Contact: Marie Glaze, Human Rights Specialist
573.874.7487 or maglaze at GoColumbiaMo.com 

Westboro Baptist Church Coming to Columbia
Human Rights Commission Encourages Citizens to Ignore the Message of
Hate

The Westboro Baptist Church, a hate group from Topeka, Kansas, plans to
demonstrate in our community in regard to the City of Columbia’s
recently enacted domestic partnership registry. This is the same hate
group which travels the country demonstrating at veterans’ funerals,
carrying their message of hate.

The City of Columbia Human Rights Commission would like to discourage
members of the community from engaging this hate group and has issued
the following statement accordingly:

“The Human Rights Commission affirms that Columbia is a better town
because it is diverse. We encourage the community to attend the
alternative events instead of empowering hate. The Human Rights
Commission encourages the media to devote significant news coverage to
the positive, alternative community events.”

The commission encourages community members to participate in the
following educational and alternative events:

Documentary Film and Panel Discussion

Date/Time:  	Wednesday, May 13 from 7 - 9 pm

Location:  	Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and
Human Services
		1005 West Worley Street in Columbia

Contact: 		For information and accommodations related to
disability, please contact Marie Glaze at v (573)874-7488, tty 874-7356
or hrc at gocolumbiamo.com 

Description:	The City of Columbia Human Rights Commission and the
Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health & Human Services will
host a screening of the documentary film “Fall from Grace” followed
by a panel discussion. Learn about the history, message and tactics of
this hate group. Also, learn the facts about the City of Columbia’s
domestic partnership registry as well as our local human rights
ordinance which covers sexual orientation as a protected class.
Refreshments will be served.
 
Alternative Event

Date/ Time: 	Thursday, May 14 at 12 pm (noon)

Location:  	Missouri United Methodist Church
		204 South 9th Street in Columbia
		Gather in the courtyard between the church and the
addition.
		Parking is available in the rear of the church off 10th
Street. 

Contact:  		For information and accommodations related to
disability, please contact Marie Glaze at v (573)874-7488, tty 874-7356
or hrc at gocolumbiamo.com 

Description: 	Please don’t give the Westboro Baptist Church the
attention they want! Join us in a friendship circle as a peaceful
alternative to the Westboro Baptist Church demonstration.
 
Community Discussion

Date/Time:  	Tuesday, May 19 from 7-9 pm

Location:  	Missouri United Methodist Church 204 South 9th Street in
Columbia
		Parking is available in the rear of the church off 10th
Street

Contact:  		For information and accommodations related to
disability, please contact Marie Glaze at v (573)874-7488, tty 874-7356
or hrc at gocolumbiamo.com 

Description:	While it is not a protected class at the state and
federal level, sexual orientation is covered under Columbia’s human
rights ordinance. Join us for a follow-up discussion regarding the
issues of tolerance and inclusion around the protected class of sexual
orientation. Refreshments will be served.

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