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Show THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2001 3 Protest Decries Gays And the LDS Church SHEENA MCFARLAND Chronicle News Writer Protesters carrying signs with the words "God Hates Fags" and "AIDS is God's Curse" along with an upside-dow- n American flag shouted anti-ga- y comments and sung church hymns at passers-b- y Friday. The group, led by Pastor Fred Phelps of the Wcstboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, gathered on the corner of 1300 E. and 200 South to spread its message. "We're here to warn and remind Salt Lake City that there is a God, and he hates fags," said Shirley Phelps-Ropeone of Pastor Phelps' 13 children. Phelps came to the University of Utah because of the "activist militant fag groups" the U supports, he r, said. Phelps' family and congregation members comprised the group of protestors. His visit is also in conjunction with the third anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death. Shepard was murdered in Wyoming in 1998 because he was gay. Phelps picketed Shepard's funeral and shouted his anti-ga- y messages throughout it. He condemns any act of murder, but he believes Shepard was a sinner. "The issue is that fags have made Shepard a hero and posterboy. This propagandist nation has supported his heroism," he said. "But no number of candlelight vigils or Elton John benefit concerts can give Matt Shepard a day off or a drop of water in Hell." Phelps believes homosexuals are a detriment to society. "People who got AIDS from blood transfusions are innocent victims. Those people are the innocent victims of filthy fags who cont- - yf" V-' see PROTEST, page 5 X W-x-.- C Shan Gallagher cf Salt Lake argues with demonstrators Fred Phelps Jr. (right) and Steve Drain during an anti- gay protest near the U on Friday. Phelps and Drain are members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., and were in Utah over the weekend to picket organizations they believe are pro-ga- mMuu ., PARKING continued from page yk't y. Hi.n.iiUL 1 "Talk to the students, they'll tell you we need this parking lot," Allred said. "1,300 students that would otherwise be without parking spaces will have one if we get approval. "I think it would be irresponsible of me, even if it cost $700,000 to not provide a few more spaces." In an earlier interview, Salt Lake City Planning Deputy Doug Wheelwright said that exceptions to zoning laws are rare, but the Olympics have sparked many proposals for exceptions to the rules. Wheelwright reported that by October, there had been no formal complaints from neighboring residents. However, he expected the number to rise when neighbors learned about the parking lot but they never did. Wheelwright said his department learned about the project from the Commuter Survival brochure distributed in early September. "Nobody knew about this plan," 'J.l.l.l.l.J.J CLJLuV.'l.llIU V"-- . y r s h 'Y ' . l.,xi ? " ..... rr-- v. - i he said. Although neighbors were not informed about the plans, Allred said the U drew up the lot's design with the consideration of the neighboring residents in mind. If approved, the plans place the lot on the north side of the field, creating a buffer zone between it and the residents on the south side of Sunnyside Avenue. The City Council won't revoke or revise the city zoning laws, Allred said. What he hopes they will do is grant the U an exception to the rule. If approved by the City Council, Allred hopes construction can begin this month so that as early as November students could be using the lot. jparkinsonchronicfe.utah.edu Comical Exclusive, f ',y' Y f '"I'tV.si, j;Vi'Vl 't"i' ! WOMAN ALLS OUT Of JEEP. IT'S Funny. READ IT. WWW.DAILYUTAHCHRONICLE.COM ilwffith'. J) yy ,jinimv ..rmiiiniiiiitanriniinii.1 : QiillJ IjJjLlILd JUtn J 1 i'ri ,aMiiMiiiL " K , -., J tlllul .1.1. i. a Tl, , -- - 1 1 j lil Fill ill wiMmr J - f" - - cQ I |