They haven't said why they're coming, but members of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas have set their sights on Gainesville for a series of protests the first Sunday in February.
Westboro Baptist Church is widely known for its protests at funerals of American soldiers and at LGBTQ events. The group has also spoken out against Catholics, Jews, Orthodox Christians and atheists - among others.
The church has a "picket schedule" on its website and lists six planned protests at Gainesville churches on the morning of Feb. 3, the same day as the Super Bowl. The schedule also includes a picket event at Mercedes Benz Stadium, the location of Super Bowl LII, from 3 - 5 p.m. the same day,
Gainesville Police Department Sgt. Kevin Holbrook issued a statement on behalf of the department, saying law enforcement is aware of the planned picketing.
"We are aware of the intentions by the Westboro Baptist Church to picket locations in the Metro Atlanta area. We are working with the organizers to ensure the short lived schedule of events are safe for all parties involved," Holbrook said.
AccessWDUN reached out to Westboro Baptist Church via email Thursday afternoon to ask why Gainesville is a target for the group, but at press time, no response had been received.
The Gainesville churches on the WBC picket schedule are listed below:
- First Baptist Gainesville 8 - 8:30 a.m.
- St. John Baptist 9 - 9:30 a.m.
- First Presbyterian Gainesville 9:30 - 10 a.m.
- Saint Michael Roman Catholic 10 - 10:30 a.m.
- Grace Episcopal 10:15 - 10:45 a.m.
- Good Shepherd Lutheran, LCMS 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
