Anti-gay, anti-semitic Westboro Baptist Church is planning to picket locations in Richmond, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Porstmouth, VA this week. There is much debate between friends and in the Twittersphere over how to respond. Ignore them? Rick-roll or stage other such jokey comebacks? Shout back? Kill 'em with kindness? Join hands in song and show the world that love will prevail over hatred?
I am joining three other Richmond mothers in taking a page from Manhattan's Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, who took pledges from supporters for every minute that WBC picketed their synagogue. The 50-minute picket resulted in $10,000 in donations. We have established Pennies in Protest RVA in emulation of their efforts. We hope that those of you who share our disgust with WBC's message of hatred (and we believe that most of the loving, good-hearted world does!), that you will consider pledging pennies - or more - in support of the very organizations that WBC is targeting.
Stay tuned for more ways to spread love to the world and counteract the haters. It may be too early to plant your gardens, but it is never the wrong season to sow a little kindness.
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Pennies in Protest RVA information and donations