Video: Westboro Protests Derrick Gordon At UMass, But Massive Student Turnout Mocks The Haters

Five members of the Westboro Baptist Church yesterday set up camp at the University of Massachusetts to protest Derrick Gordon, the recently-out NCAA Division 1 basketball player. 1500 UMASS students decided to protest the protest, with signs and chants. A few even stripped to just underwear or Speedos — despite the 30-degree weather.

Marching under the banner and hashtag #UMASSunited, students cheered each other, gave speeches in support of equality, and generally appeared to just be having a great time.

Meanwhile, the five Westboro Baptist Church members were protected by a dozen police officers and their presence seemed almost nonexistent.

Gordon offered this tweet of thanks:

Thank you all for the SUPPORT!!!!
#LGBT #BETRUE

— Derrick Gordon (@flash2gordon) April 16, 2014

 

Here’s a video via MassLive, and below, photos via social media:

 

http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1

 

Image, top, by Elizabeth Mcmanus via Instagram