About Plattsburgh For Peace

Here's a brief history of how we came to be.

Plattsburgh For Peace is a non-profit, nondenominational committee of volunteer members in the Plattsburgh, NY community. Its current mission is to discourage Fred Phelps and other WBC (Westboro Baptist Church) followers from picketing and broadcasting hateful messages at the 2005 Mayor's Cup and local churches in July 2005. We are proud of our community and of its diversity. We intend to do everything in our power to maintain the spirit of family and richness of our diverse community. Please join us today by contributing to our pledge drive and completing our pledge form.

Our History

On January 18, 2005, a small group of concerned citizens of Plattsburgh met to discuss the planned Fred Phelps picketing in Plattsburgh during the community's annual Mayor's Cup Regatta & Festival. At that meeting the participants decided to formalize the group with the name "Plattsburgh For Peace". It's immediate purpose is to discourage Phelps from participating in the Mayor's Cup event and picketing at Plattsburgh's churches. It was also decided to do this in a non-violent, non-confrontational manner. It's long-term goal is to remain in the community as a watchdog for hate groups. One idea which came up at the initial meeting was a pledge drive which originated in Ann Arbor, MI.

Early in 2001, Ann Arbor, MI resident and business owner Keith Orr heard that his establishment was being targeted by Fred Phelps and he wanted to respond constructively. He and his partner, Martin Contreras, did not want to promote a counter-demonstration, feeling that Phelps gains the most attention – and hence is most effective – when he provokes anger and outrage from his opponents. Rather, Orr decided to use his Phelps visit to the community's advantage.

Phelps's plans to picket the establishment came to light only two days prior to his scheduled February 17, 2001 demonstration. With little time, Orr used the Internet to organize a unique fundraising scheme. In an email message to customers, supporters, and friends, he proposed that people pledge money to a local charity for every minute that Phelps picketed his establishment. In this way, Orr explained, the longer Phelps stayed to spew hate, the more money he would raise for the local charity. He and Contreras kicked off the drive by pledging $1 per minute. Only 48 hours after Orr and Contreras kicked off the drive – friends and supporters of the Ann Arbor community had promised to contribute a total of $125 for every minute Phelps picketed the establishment. Many other communities have followed this example and this campain has now been aptly named "Every Minute Counts".

Plattsburgh's Pledge drive is similar to Ann Arbor's but we have much more time to prepare for this and to spread the word throughout our community and beyond. Our pledge form on our home page allows you to select the charity you'd like to pledge to and the amount you'd like to pledge. You may pledge $1 for every minute Phelps is in town with or without a time limit. If you prefer, you may pledge a single sum to the charity of your choice. You also have to option to withdraw your pledge if Phelps is a no-show at the Mayor's cup or you can keep your pledge in place.

What if we all decided, starting right now ... that  the color of our skins' didn't matter?

or religion?

or nationality?

or ideology?

or sexual orientation?

What if we stopped being afraid?

Think about it for a minute ...  maybe it wouldn't be that hard to live in peace?

Maybe it's just that simple.

 

Home - Phelps' Letter to Mayor - Phelps' Plattsburgh News Release - Mayor's Cup 2005 -Charities - How to Help - Contact Us - Every Minute Counts
Matthew Shepard Foundation - Aids Council of NENY - SPLC - About Us - Fred Phelps

Sources: http://www.endhate.org/
http://www.autbar.com/fred_phelps_press_release.htm