Westboro Baptist Church protests Carson

Carmen Augusta watched four members of the Westboro Baptist Church wave signs at Carson High School students Friday afternoon.

"God hates you," the signs read. "You're going to hell," and "God is your enemy."

Augusta, an 18-year-old senior, said students leaving school found the signs of the independent Topeka, Kan., church too offensive to take seriously.

He and other students said they'd never heard of the church before and weren't sure what they were doing at the school.

"I think some crazy fanatics got their hands on some art supplies and went to town," Augusta said.

Most students stared as the Carson City Sheriff's Department directed them around the protesters on the corner of Saliman Road and Robinson Street.

A few talked politely to the protesters about the reason for the church's message. A few yelled insults as they walked or drove past.

"Looks like you're going to hell," one girl said.

Sheriff Kenny Furlong said the church, known most for its protests across the country at military funerals and the funerals of homosexuals, asked for a police escort in advance of their demonstrations.

Furlong said he declined, but planned ahead so the church and the public wouldn't get into any confrontations. Police never had to intervene at the church's stops at the Legislature and the high school, he said.

"They got no reaction in this community, and I'm so pleased with that," Furlong said. "This is Carson City at its finest."

Shirley Phelps-Roper, daughter of church pastor Fred Phelps Sr., said the church was in Carson City to protest Nevada's acceptance of homosexuality and adultery.

She dragged the American flag and another flag striped with a rainbow.

The church is also upset about a bill introduced in the Legislature, AB1, that would make a protest at military funeral with the intent to disrupt it a misdemeanor, she said.

Several states have adopted similar bills in response to the church.

Rachel Jeauxdevine, a 16-year-old junior, was one of the students who spoke with the protesters.

She said she wanted to find out what they meant and why they were saying it.

Signs like one showing President Barack Obama as the Antichrist made her wonder why the church couldn't find a more positive way to get out their message.

"It was a little too much for a public area where there's kids walking around," she said.

Lucas Fitchett, a 17-year-old senior, said he felt like punching the protesters for showing ignorant and offensive signs like "Pray for more dead kids."

"You would think they would have something better to do," he said.