Anti-gay Kansas group pickets Augusta newspaper

AUGUSTA - A handful of people from a Kansas church picketed outside The Augusta Chronicle Saturday, against what they say is a promotion of gay lifestyles by Morris Communications Co., the parent company of the paper. <br> <br> About 12 people from the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., held signs outside the downtown offices of the Augusta paper. <br> <br> Margie Phelps, a minister and attorney at the church, said they were demonstrating because another Morris publication, The Topeka Capitol-Journal, promoted homosexuality through its editorials. <br> <br> The group held up signs reading ``God Hates America&#39;&#39; and ``God&#39;s Rod,&#39;&#39; referring to the Sept. 11 terrorist attack, which they say symbolizes God&#39;s wrath toward the United States and its deviant behavior. <br> <br> About 20 members from Augusta&#39;s Metropolitan Community Church of Our Redeemer countered the protest with a prayer vigil at their church on Seventh Street, a few blocks down from the paper, said Pastor Jeff Pulliam. <br> <br> Fred Phelps, minister of Westboro Baptist Church, said church members will protest the Gay Pride Day parade in Atlanta on Sunday as well.