Angel Action Favorite 

Practitioner: 

Date: 

Oct 17 1998

Location: 

Laramie Wyoming

Matthew Shepard was attacked by Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson on October 7, 1998, the victim of an anti-gay hate crime. He was pronounced dead on October 12th. Shepard's funeral was protested by Fred Phelps, notorious leader of the Westboro Baptist Church. The protesters bore signs with phrases such as, "God hates Fags", "No tears for Queens", and "Fag Matt in hell". Shepard's High school friend and gay activist, Romaine Patterson, organized a counter protest, Angel Action. A group of people dressed up like angels with big wings. They blocked Phelps and his group from the funeral attendees. The "angels" wore ear plugs so they would not have to hear Phelps hateful speech. This action was portrayed in The Tectonic Theatre Company's documentary play, The Laramie Project.

Posted by jmt499 on

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