Wednesday, Dec. 07, 2011
Silent Bob Strikes Back
PARK CITY, UTAH — Director Kevin Smith joined protesters facing off with the Westboro Baptist Church in January outside the premiere of his film Red State (which features a fanatical church). The Westboro group is known for its anti-gay and funeral picketing; members will typically carry signs that read, "God Hates Jews," "God Hates Obama" or "[Homosexuals] Are Beasts." One of their leaders is Shirley Phelps-Roper; here Smith makes a play on her name. Counterpicketing is a common tactic used against Westboro. Other such signs have read, "God Hates Signs" and "Corduroy Skirts Are a Sin" (held, of course, next to a Westboro protester in a full-length corduroy skirt).