Westboro Baptist Church Targets Carnegie Hall: Planting Peace Raises Cancer Money In Honor Of David Bowie’s Death
The Westboro Baptist Church was hoping to protest David Bowie’s funeral in public, but fortunately their plans have been foiled by the Starman’s last dying wish. The singer was quietly cremated on Sunday, making it impossible for the Westboro Baptist Church’s protest to happen, but they still may attend the planned memorial concert in New York City. In response, an organization called Planting Peace is still running their counter-protest fundraiser in opposition to the Westboro Baptist Church by raising cancer money in honor of the rocker’s memory.
Predictable as ever & we’re thankful???? MT @huffpostgay: WBC is planning to protest Bowie’s funeral but they probably didn’t see this coming
— Westboro Baptist (@WBCSaysRepent) January 13, 2016
On Facebook, Bowie’s family also posted a message stating that they planned a private memorial.
“The family of David Bowie is currently making arrangements for a private ceremony celebrating the memory of their beloved husband, father and friend. They ask once again that their privacy be respected at this most sensitive of times,” the statement read.
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Now that their primary plans are impossible, the hate group continues to spew messages about Bowie.
Internet petitions God to bring back David Bowie from the dead. As if he hadn’t wasted his first life, @SputnikInt? pic.twitter.com/IjnQvYbJWq
— Westboro Baptist (@WBCSaysRepent) January 14, 2016
#DavidBowie now singing the distressing Ballad of the Rich Man In Hell????https://t.co/UmFqb7PBAl???? pic.twitter.com/Y8y4RL7GaM
— Westboro Baptist (@WBCSaysRepent) January 14, 2016
#DavidBowie doesn’t want tributes! He wants water and for you to not follow him to Hell, @Madonna! https://t.co/prURAAs0BC #PicketFuneral
— Westboro Baptist (@WBCSaysRepent) January 14, 2016
Instead of ranting and raving over the Westboro Baptist Church’s actions, Planting Peace is putting together something productive. The organization is raising money in honor of David Bowie’s cancer battle by donating all funds to the St. Jude’s Children Hospital.
“David Bowie inspired generations of people who loved him for his music, his artistry, and his larger than life personas,” Aaron Jackson, president of Planting Peace, told the Huffington Post. “He was a role model when it came to transcending any social norms or boundaries with his individuality and personal expression. He taught us all that being different was something to embrace and celebrate. This is a small gesture to honor his legacy and the difference he made to so many. When the WBC began tweeting hateful messages to Mr. Bowie’s family and targeting various memorials for picketing, we felt like launching a fundraiser and providing a positive outlet for support that will help children and families battling cancer would be the perfect way to honor Mr. Bowie and show that acts of love and compassion speak louder than messages of hate.”
Unfortunately, the Westboro Baptist Church protest will still likely target Carnegie Hall’s memorial concert being held on March 31, 2016.
Perfect picket place! @CNN: David Bowie memorial concert planned for Carnegie Hall https://t.co/y5xmNs2Wnd pic.twitter.com/VJwVnWA17E
— Westboro Baptist (@WBCSaysRepent) January 12, 2016
The organization had previously released a statement explaining that the tribute concert is being changed to a remembrance concert.
“The unexpected death of David Bowie has turned this tribute, which we have worked on for the past seven months, into a memorial concert,” the organizers wrote on the concert’s website. “This year’s concert will certainly be remembered as a poignant celebration of his music by his friends, peers, and fans. We are all deeply saddened by this news. The timing of our public on-sale date is bizarre in its timing … may God’s love be with you.”
[Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images]