Members of the Westboro Baptist Church counter demonstrate an LGBTQ Workers Rights Protest in Washington, D.C. in 2019. Cropped photo by Elvert Barnes under Creative Commons license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en

A controversial religious group is planning two protest events in Fresno County, and members of the Fresno City Council are speaking out.

Council President Annalisa and Luis Chavez are condemning the upcoming events staged by Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church outside of Roosevelt High School in Southeast Fresno on Oct. 28 and Reedley High School on Oct. 31.

The Westboro Baptist Church is known for its anti-gay beliefs and picketing with offensive signs outside of the funerals of soldiers killed while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. They hold protests all over the country.

Chavez, whose District 5 includes Roosevelt High School, expressed concern about students being harassed and assaulted by the Westboro protestors. He said his office will be working with the school to ensure students who feel unsafe have the support they need.

“My faith, and that of the Roosevelt neighborhood, believes in love and tolerance,” Chavez said in a statement. “Our community will always be stronger than these tourists of hate.”

Council President Perea said law enforcement will work with Fresno Unified officials to ensure the safety of all involved.

“Let me be clear: any attempt to spread hate, intimidation, or division will not be tolerated,” Perea said in a statement. “Our schools must remain safe spaces for all students, teacher and staff.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center describes the church as “arguably the most obnoxious and rabid hate group in America.”

Westboro Baptist Church stated that the local high schools have a “sodomite and a faux-Christian student club” — specifically naming two clubs at Roosevelt High and two at Reedley High.