Westboro Baptist Church, deemed “arguably the most obnoxious and rabid hate group in America” by the Southern Poverty Law Center, has announced that it will protest at the upcoming graduations of Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University, as reported by Rolling Out. As a result, Spelman officials are now taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of graduates and their families.
The group has become infamous for their protests of combat deaths and those in the LGBT community. Spelman is believed to be targeted because of their commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Last May, the HBCU based in Atlanta, Georgia, made history as it graduated its first openly transgender student.
“More evidence does not seem necessary to demonstrate that this college is being grandly paid to produce perverts who aggressively strive to push others toward proud sin and down the path to hell. Repent!” read a response from WBC, obtained by Rolling Out.
Westboro also took issue with Spelman’s brother school, Morehouse, for its new admissions policy that will allow transgender students to attend, starting in 2020. As for Clark Atlanta, they are under attack because of their choice to have Dr. Ken Walden, the President-Dean of Gammon Theological Seminary, deliver the prayer and lead the worship portion of the ceremony. According to Westboro, he is a “false prophet, man-pleaser and a whorish, lying pastor.”
On Tuesday, Spelman’s Director of Public Safety, Steve Bowser, confirmed via email that the school was taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of students and all others attending graduation ceremonies. “We encourage everyone to immediately report any suspicious or concerning behavior to campus staff or law enforcement,” read the email obtained by The Grio.