Transcripts

LAURA MCCALLUM: In front of All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church, supporters waved signs that read "I love fags," "Jesus loves lesbians," and "Fred Phelps, hatemonger." Across the street, about a dozen of Phelps' followers and family members sang religious songs and carried their own banners that proclaimed "God hates fags," "AIDS cures fags," and "Your pastor is lying."

CROWD: (SINGING) We have an anchor that keeps us all steadfast and sure, while the billows roll.

LAURA MCCALLUM: Phelps' so-called missionary team seemed undaunted about being outnumbered more than 50 to 1. His daughter, Elizabeth Phelps, says the demonstrators are there to preach to congregation members and people passing by.

ELIZABETH PHELPS: It's not a popularity contest. It's someone saying roundly, and soundly and strongly without apology, this is what Scripture says about it.

LAURA MCCALLUM: The Reverend Fred Phelps' followers quote several biblical passages, they say, support their anti-gay views. Phelps didn't attend yesterday's picket. His daughter says he was in Alabama.

His granddaughter, Sara Phelps, a young woman wearing shorts and a tank top, says the picketers want gays and lesbians to repent. And she says they have changed people's minds. She says they selected Minneapolis based on its church's support for gay rights.

SARA PHELPS: We found out that all these churches just accept these homosexuals. And they'd preach lies to them, which you're supposed to preach the truth to them. You're not supposed to preach lies. Because if you preach lies, you're just as likely to go to hell as anybody else.

LAURA MCCALLUM: Phelps and her fellow picketers didn't talk to any of the congregation members or politicians. Police kept church supporters on the other side of the street.

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

SPEAKER 1: No, you cannot. On the sidewalk.

LAURA MCCALLUM: [? Katie ?] [? Kyler, ?] who lives nearby, was angry she wasn't allowed to confront the Phelps followers.

[? KATIE KYLER: ?] I just don't want them in my neighborhood. I don't think they have any right to be here. They have no right to be here. They have no right to have those signs.

LAURA MCCALLUM: The demonstrators left after about 15 minutes without incident. While inside the church, more than 500 people held hands and paused to remember victims of hate crimes as the church choir sang.

["LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH" PLAYING] Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin

LAURA MCCALLUM: DFL gubernatorial candidates Mike Freeman, Skip Humphrey and Ted Mondale addressed the congregation talking about tolerance. Freeman says his stance is a matter of human rights, not a campaign issue.

MIKE FREEMAN: There is no room for hate in my politics, and there's no room for hate in the politics of Minnesotans. That we need to celebrate our diversity, embrace it and support each other.

LAURA MCCALLUM: Attorney General Skip Humphrey says the picketers are free to express their views, but he doesn't think Minnesotans are listening to them.

SKIP HUMPHREY: Well, I think they better understand Minnesota's not going to stand for this stuff. This is not the way Minnesota is. It's not what we expect. We have enough challenges on our agenda to do the right thing. We don't need people here trying to get us to do the wrong thing.

LAURA MCCALLUM: The pastor of All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church, Paul Gretz, says given the response from supporters, he encourages Fred Phelps followers to picket his church anytime.

PAUL GRETZ: I couldn't ask for a better staff person because he can rally a crowd. So how do I get him to come next Sunday? Fred Phelps, you're always welcome at All God's Children because you really know how to turn out a crowd.

LAURA MCCALLUM: Gretz says politicians, gay and lesbian organizations and church members sent Phelps a clear message, they won't tolerate hate. I'm Laura McCallum, Minnesota Public Radio.