Community meets hate with love

Counterprotestors far outnumber protestors



LOUD AND CLEAR—Word that an out-of-town fringe group spouting hateful words about LGBTQ people would be demonstrating outside Thousand Oaks High School on Monday morning drew a swift and full-force response. While the fringe group numbered four, around 150 showed up to a counterprotest, which was held at the same time, at Avenida de Las Flores and Moorpark Road. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers

LOUD AND CLEAR—Word that an out-of-town fringe group spouting hateful words about LGBTQ people would be demonstrating outside Thousand Oaks High School on Monday morning drew a swift and full-force response. While the fringe group numbered four, around 150 showed up to a counterprotest, which was held at the same time, at Avenida de Las Flores and Moorpark Road. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers

Around 150 people turned up in front of Thousand Oaks High School on Monday to counter hate with love.

A motley assortment of counterprotestors wearing gear that included rainbow capes and clerical collars gathered at Moorpark Road and Avenida de Las Flores before dawn on Feb. 11 holding signs that said “God is love,” “Jesus loves everyone” and “Love wins.” The affirmations were to counter a fringe religious group that requested police protection for a brief demonstration in front of TOHS.

Four members of a Topeka, Kan.-based hate group that is known for protesting the funerals of fallen service members picketed in front of the Lancer parking lot on a city-owned sidewalk from 6:30 to 7 a.m. before moving on to picket Pepperdine University later that morning.

The group said in a news release that the fires and the Borderline shooter were “manifestations of God’s wrath.” The release called TOHS’ Pride alliance, mental health club and Catholic club “abominable.”

DEVOTION—Churchgoers bow their heads in prayer just inside Anthem Church Thousand Oaks. The church on Arcturus Street near TOHS held a prayer service at the same time (6:30 a.m.) as the protest to show its solidarity with the high school. Courtesy photo

DEVOTION—Churchgoers bow their heads in prayer just inside Anthem Church Thousand Oaks. The church on Arcturus Street near TOHS held a prayer service at the same time (6:30 a.m.) as the protest to show its solidarity with the high school. Courtesy photo

Marc Orfanos, the father of Borderline victim Telemachus Orfanos, is a track and field coach at TOHS. Borderline victim Alaina Housley was a student at Pepperdine University.

The protest was over before first period started.

Counter-protestor Jennifer Moore moved to Thousand Oaks in 1998 to raise her four children. Standing on the corner of Moorpark Road on Monday morning, she said she was appalled to learn that a group of fringe protestors were coming “to our small town.”

“One of my kids is LGBTQ, so it’s kind of a momma bear situation,” she said. “These kids don’t deserve this. It isn’t a church. It’s a hate group.”

Police Chief Tim Hagel was on hand during the 30-minute demonstration, as were a large number of uniformed police officers. Deputies blocked off the sidewalk in front of TOHS to allow the fringe group to protest unimpeded.

Superintendent Mark McLaughlin and members of Conejo Valley Unified’s executive cabinet monitored the protest from in front of the TOHS office, as did school board president Betsy Connolly. Matt Kouba from the Conejo Rec and Park District oversaw the situation at neighboring Thousand Oaks Community Park.

SHOWING THEIR COLORS—A crowd of 150 or more gather across the street from Thousand Oaks High School at 6:30 a.m. Monday to show their support for the LGBTQ community. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers

SHOWING THEIR COLORS—A crowd of 150 or more gather across the street from Thousand Oaks High School at 6:30 a.m. Monday to show their support for the LGBTQ community. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers

The protest ended without incident.

Last week, McLaughlin said in a press release that CVUSD does not condone or support any of the messages of the fringe group but it would be unlawful for the district to attempt to ban or silence this group because of their First Amendment rights. The group has a history of filing lawsuits against cities and agencies who attempt to stop their protests.

In response to the group’s message expressed in front of their campus, TOHS student clubs held a “Unity Rally” in the quad during nutrition break on Monday.

On Twitter, CVUSD’s director of high school, Brian Mercer, described the students at the rally as “proud and active” as they cheered, “Every Lancer, every day, we are here for each other.”

Paw Works brought puppies to the TOHS campus on Monday to offer students and staff some four-legged affection.

Lancers and students across the district wore #TOStrong attire as an expression of solidarity.

Following the morning demonstration, TOHS Principal Eric Bergmann took to Twitter to thank local residents for their outpouring of support.

“This has been a difficult week for us, but your good wishes and kind words have buoyed us greatly,” he said.