Counter-protests Held Against the Westboro Baptist Church

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SUNDAY, JUNE 5TH, 2022

JOLIET, IL – "REBELLIOUS WOMAN" RACHEL VENTURA HOSTS PEACEFUL COUNTER PROTEST TO RIGHT WING WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH

The Westboro Baptist Church brought about 8 of their members to protest at St Raymond’s Catholic Church on Sunday, June 5th from 10:10 - 10:30 AM. Rachel Ventura, a progressive Democrat who is running for State Senate in Illinois' 43rd District organized a counter-protest that roughly 100 people attended.

Prior to the event, Westboro Baptist engaged Ventura on Twitter and called her a "rebellious woman." Ventura decided to re-post it on Facebook, but not respond to the tweet.

Police were present to keep protestors off the streets and in their respective protest zones. Westboro Baptist Church set up in front of St. Raymond's Cathedral at the corner of Douglas St. and N. Raynor Ave. The counter-protestors moved from Ventura's home at 617 N. Raynor down to occupy the other three corners of the intersection. For approximately 30 minutes protestors played music, rode motorcycles around the Westboro group, and verbally challenged some of the signs that were being held by Westboro Baptist Church members.

Ventura decided to host the counter-protest to give people a safe space to share a message of love, compassion and hope.