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Protest of High School Performance Cancelled

To All Coronado Community Members:

This morning the Coronado Unified School District filed suit for an injunction against the planned protest by Westboro Baptist Church, Inc. toward the district’s production of The Laramie Project. Shortly before the special status conference, the lawsuit was forwarded to counsel for Westboro. After review of the suit, counsel for Westboro responded that the planned protest for Coronado High School was canceled and the protesters would not be targeting Coronado High School this weekend. The Court accepted this representation, and directed counsel to contact the Coronado Police Department should Westboro change their position.

Thus, as it stands, Westboro has cancelled the protest at Coronado High School. However, in an abundance of caution, I will still ask for police presence at the school during both Friday and Saturday’s performance. All other plans for special security at this event will remain in place.

I believe that the entire community of Coronado was very appreciative of the stand that the District took on this issue. Such issues can be divisive and incredibly traumatic to a community. This community instead chose to band together, show support for one another, and encourage each other in a variety of ways. In particular, I would like to thank the leaders of our city government, our faith-based leaders represented by the Coronado Council of Churches, and all of those who finally understood why we embrace the Six Pillars of Character. Teaching character and showing character can sometimes be two different things. This event became an opportunity for our community to do both.

Jeff Felix
Superintendent of Coronado Unified School District

Tags: community, schools

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Comment by jimbolaya on January 18, 2011 at 9:37am: I'm glad these people were sent packing. Yes people have a right to free speech but when you start protesting everything you just become a nuisance. Their intent is to be troublemakers, to shock, and to steal the attention and cause a big media storm. It's good to know that they can be forced to back off if it becomes too much trouble for them or expense.

Comment by jef on January 18, 2011 at 2:38pm: @ Amelia-Marie Altstadt.....Typical. Apply YOUR interpretation of the phrase "Live and let live" without allowing any opposing interpretations. Why don't you ask her what she meant by that phrase or just READ the phrase she used in context of the comments by Grace. MY view is NOT your view of her use of that phrase. Me thinks you MAY be INTOLERANT of other's points of view.

Comment by Julie Suzanne Williams on January 18, 2011 at 6:34pm: Only in Coronado. What changes erom years ago. Julie

Comment by Amelia-Marie Altstadt on January 18, 2011 at 7:40pm: @jef "....Typical"? I must rebut that statement -you do not even know me, so you cannot make assumptions like that. I saw Grace's comment, and commented on it. Living in peace is not enough though. That minority needs to be considered. I want them to live in peace too, but the majority won't even let the gay population marry. Peace is not going to change that, peaceful action will. I did admit earlier that "[...] we weren't very tolerant of them I admit, but it helped me realize we need to change that." The important part of that quote is "[...] it helped me realize we need to change that." So I already acknowledged that I was being intolerant, which extends to other parts of this subject and others.

On a personal note, I stand by my statement, and I do not appreciate being belittled for my views. Your capital letters hurt, it's exactly like yelling. I tried not to be affected by your tone but it is hard not to be. I concede to some of your points because if you didn't notice I am only 15 years old and have not been involved in politics as long as adults such as you even if some do handle it in a seemingly childish, or may be considered passionate, way. Also, show me one person in the entire world that is completely tolerant of everything -not even a baby is that tolerant, so I certainly do not claim I am tolerant.

Thanks for reading, looking forward to your next statement!

Comment by jimbolaya on January 19, 2011 at 3:56am: Amelia way to go. You are very thoughtful and intelligent for a 15 year old. You are also very honest about yourself.

Comment by Amelia-Marie Altstadt on January 21, 2011 at 9:01pm: Only on paper. Thank you. I enjoy being honest, although some might call me stubborn. :)

Comment by jef on January 22, 2011 at 12:34pm: Capital letters are meant for emphasis as I can't/won't/don't yell at my keyboard or you. Please don't use age as a reason for your comments on a public blog. I am careful not to use my OLD age as an excuse. You did quote the play and call Grace's and Aleene's comments "crap". It is "typical" of bloggers to call others and their comments by names. That is "typical" and what I meant by it.

In the November 2010 election, Californians decided to change the constitution and deny ANYONE the right to marry someone of the same sex. That law applies to ALL of us; not just gays. Now it is working through the courts to determine if the change was constitutional. THIS IS a peaceful process. I believe Californians don't want to deny ALL citizens equal rights; that is why we have civil unions. Society did change, the rights of individuals was recognized and California allowed civil unions. Do you believe a church should be FORCED to perform a marriage between same sex persons? That would be the next step. I'm not prepared to force a church to do that if same sex marriage were granted by law. What's the difference between a marriage and a civil union, in law? It is the same thing just different words. Let the debate continue; GOD bless America and our RIGHT to vote. Change is an inevitable part of life.

PS....I will not "dumb down" my remarks because of your age. That would show disrespect towards you. Please don't be hurt or offended with a healthy vigorous debate. This is how we all learn.

Comment by Amelia-Marie Altstadt on January 24, 2011 at 5:43pm: Thank you for that. I'm going to stop this discussion before it goes off topic, which it has to some extent already. Plus, I have homework to do and not enough time to spend on internet pursuits such as this. So bye until another debate. Next controversial play maybe? :)

Comment by jimbolaya on January 25, 2011 at 10:44am: Jef you are ignorant of the law. The court's decision did not force a church to perform same-sex marriages - it forces the state to give them out. That was part of the protect marriage coalition misinformation. It is absolutely false. A civil union is absolutely not the same thing as a marriage in the eyes of law or society. But thanks for playing.

Comment by jef on January 25, 2011 at 8:32pm: I disagree with you jimbolaya. If you read my comments, then you would see I was talking about THE VOTE in California. THE VOTERS decided to not allow same sex marriages in California; not the courts. If you follow the news, you would know that some states that have allowed same sex marriage are now the places where gays are trying to force a church to perform a marriage under "equal protection".. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91486340 ... Goggle it as there are many occurrences of this. I say a marriage and a civil union are the SAME. Prove me wrong. Where are they different, UNDER THE LAW, as i qualified my statement? "What's the difference between a marriage and a civil union, in law? It is the same thing just different words." You lose your credibility when you rant an opinion that is not factual and doesn't address the comments I made above. Do you think that a brother and a sister should be allowed to marry? Many states prohibit marriage within a family. Does your position of "equal rights for all" apply to father/daughter and mother/son unions? If not, are you prepared to deny them EQUAL rights too?

Here is a website that supports MY opinion: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_union "A civil union is a legally recognized union similar to marriage."

Thanks for reading my comments, Amelia-Marie. I'll be there whenever I can support our community's pursuit of tolerance and non-violence.