Gay Straight Alliance at Mt Si High needs some help

[eridani]

The following is from our friends and allies at Friends of the GSA an ad hoc group that supports the GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) at Mt. Si High School. Some of you may be aware of the controversy involving the Rev. Ken Hutcherson and Mt. Si High. Rev. Hutcherson has called for the resignation of teachers, referred to the Gay-Straight Alliance as a "sex club," and is now protesting the Day of Silence. Rev. Hutcherson has sent a message to his "prayer warriors" encouraging them to encircle the Mt. Si High at 10 am this Friday as a protest to the Day of Silence.

Community members supportive of the Day of Silence, which seeks to end bullying of LGBT students and students perceived as LGBT, have decided to gather early in the morning to show their support for the GSA and the Day of silence. This is not a protest, or counter protest, but a show of support for the GSA and Day of Silence.

Below is information about the Gathering early on the morning of Friday, April 25

You can also take a moment to read about this in the Seattle Times.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004370164_dayofsilence24e.html

Thanks for all you do,


Josh Friedes
ERW Advocacy Director
Equal Rights Washington


Before school

1. Show up at 7 a.m. in front of Mt Si High (8651 Meadowbrook Way SE, Snoqualmie), at the corner of SR 202 and Meadowbrook (at Milk Barn), or in back of the school. These are the key entry points for the students, and we want them to see us supporting them.

2. Leave by 8 a.m. We do not want to engage those protesting the Day of Silence

3. Carry signs supporting the GSA students. Do not carry signs condemning Hutcherson. We are looking for as positive, supportive message for the GSA and the Day of Silence.

4. We will be more visible if we stand in a group and wear some type of similar clothing. As we wrote earlier in this email, multi-colored (rainbow type) shirts, armbands, headbands would be great. If you don't have tie-dye or rainbow shirts, perhaps a solid, primary color shirt keeping with the rainbow theme. We'll try to have rainbow armbands for those interested.

5. Do not engage any Hutcherson supporters.

6. Be silent.

7. Be prepared to have to park a long way away. No one is sure how this will all play out, but there may be over a thousand people bussed in and there may be a significant police presence. Streets adjacent to the high school may be closed. There will be no restrooms available.

At 11 a.m. there will be a Press Conference at the new Snoqualmie Library on the Ridge (7824 Center Blvd SE, Snoqualmie WA 98065 )

We have designated speakers but if the press approach you and you live in the valley, here are some thoughts to consider IF you speak to the press.

1. Don’t mention Hutcherson. He is not relevant.

2. Say you support of the Day of Silence and the GSA students.

3. Praise the school board and Mt Si High administration for supporting the Day of Silence

4. Underscore that this is a tolerant community and people who come in from outside to agitate do not represent us.

Thank you!
Friends of GSA

[eridani]

1. Seattle Times article

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/eastsidenews/2004374870_dayofsilence26e.html

A Day of Silence inside Mount Si High School meant to show support for gay and lesbian students erupted in noisy protests outside.

More than one-third of students didn't show up for classes Friday. Principal Randy Taylor said 495 out of 1,410 students weren't at school, including 85 athletes whose parents had asked that they be excused for their personal beliefs.

About 100 people joined the Rev. Ken Hutcherson, a prominent anti-gay-rights activist, in prayer and song that questioned the dedication of a school day to what they said was a controversial political cause.

Snoqualmie police placed yellow crime-scene tape between Hutcherson's supporters and about 40 counterdemonstrators, including some former students, who tried to drown out the pastor by beating drums and chanting, "Go home."

Earlier, about 80 parents and supporters of the event, sponsored by the school's Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), stood quietly outside the school as students arrived in the morning. Some wore tie-dye scarves, and a former student waved a rainbow flag.