CHELSEA KROTZER The Olympian
About 1,000 people showed up in support of Olympia High School's unity rally in reaction to a protest by the Westboro Baptist Church. Olympia High Principal Matt Grant said the students literally wanted to "turn their backs" to the Westboro protest.
Students, staff and community members stood in the pouring rain outside Olympia High School Thursday morning to rally in reaction to a Westboro Baptist Church protest.
A handful of the church’s protesters, known for its extremist views, stood across North Street from the high school while a group of about 1,000 gathered for the high school’s unity rally, according to Principal Matt Grant.
“I felt it was a success because I didn’t even know the other people were there until two-thirds of the way through,” Grant said. “I felt really well about our community keeping most of the focus forward on what unites us instead of on people’s hate.”
The students first learned of the impending protest last week and decided to spread the message of love and acceptance of diversity.
“This event is not directed at them at all, it’s not to engage them – it’s about us,” said student organizer Alex Dzinbal, a junior.
A live student band played a variety of songs, including “What a Wonderful World” and the Beatles' hit “All You Need is Love” under a poster bearing the student-created symbol for the event, a blue heart with the words “Oly Love” surrounded by hands.
“I was definitely moved,” said Kym Beckenhauer, the parent of high school student Sadie Beckenhauer.
Beckenhauer and her husband, David, brought their whole family to the rally in support of their daughter and the rest of the students.
“Bringing that message of hate to high school students who are already dealing with so much; it’s just not OK,” Beckenhauer said.
Sadie Beckenhauer, a senior, could only describe the morning’s events in one word: “Incredible.”
Student speakers took to the microphone and shared their views on hatred and how fellow students should not only turn their backs on it during the rally, but take the initiative to stop it on a daily basis.
“Reach out to the students who are being bullied or alone,” urged speaker Chantal Arevalo.
A number of local community leaders helped kick off a sing-along session to “All You Need is Love.”
“Anyone can call themselves a church, but those with real faith stand with the students of Olympia High School,” Dzinbal said.
Students passed out lyrics to the crowd who joined in song. About 1,000 T-shirts bearing the heart symbol were sold and 100 buttons passed out to participants, Grant said.
Proceeds from the T-shirts will go toward a fall retreat for students, Grant said.
A handful of the church’s protesters, known for its extremist views, stood across North Street from the high school while a group of about 1,000 gathered for the high school’s unity rally, according to Principal Matt Grant.
“I felt it was a success because I didn’t even know the other people were there until two-thirds of the way through,” Grant said. “I felt really well about our community keeping most of the focus forward on what unites us instead of on people’s hate.”
The students first learned of the impending protest last week and decided to spread the message of love and acceptance of diversity.
“This event is not directed at them at all, it’s not to engage them – it’s about us,” said student organizer Alex Dzinbal, a junior.
A live student band played a variety of songs, including “What a Wonderful World” and the Beatles' hit “All You Need is Love” under a poster bearing the student-created symbol for the event, a blue heart with the words “Oly Love” surrounded by hands.
“I was definitely moved,” said Kym Beckenhauer, the parent of high school student Sadie Beckenhauer.
Beckenhauer and her husband, David, brought their whole family to the rally in support of their daughter and the rest of the students.
“Bringing that message of hate to high school students who are already dealing with so much; it’s just not OK,” Beckenhauer said.
Sadie Beckenhauer, a senior, could only describe the morning’s events in one word: “Incredible.”
Student speakers took to the microphone and shared their views on hatred and how fellow students should not only turn their backs on it during the rally, but take the initiative to stop it on a daily basis.
“Reach out to the students who are being bullied or alone,” urged speaker Chantal Arevalo.
A number of local community leaders helped kick off a sing-along session to “All You Need is Love.”
“Anyone can call themselves a church, but those with real faith stand with the students of Olympia High School,” Dzinbal said.
Students passed out lyrics to the crowd who joined in song. About 1,000 T-shirts bearing the heart symbol were sold and 100 buttons passed out to participants, Grant said.
Proceeds from the T-shirts will go toward a fall retreat for students, Grant said.
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