Apr 24, 2009 5:45 pm US/Pacific
High School Production Of 'Rent' Draws Protestors
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (CBS) ―
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Students at Corona del Mar High School protested in support of their production of "Rent."
CBS
A production of the play "Rent" prompted protests at Corona del Mar High in Newport Beach, even drawing demonstrators from a Kansas-based church.
Nearly 300 students faced off with between 15 and 20 protesters from Westboro Baptist Church and their supporters on a street adjacent to the campus, Newport Beach police Sgt. Evan Sailor said.
Church representatives earlier this week announced their intent to picket the staging of the play, which tells the story of struggling artists in New York City, including gay characters who are diagnosed with AIDS.
Shirley Phelps-Roper, daughter of the church's leader, said in earlier published reports that eight people were set to travel to California to picket the play, which the church's Web site described as a "lying, maudlin piece of propaganda."
During the demonstration, members of both sides hollered out to passing motorists, cheered and carried signs, but there were no problems, Sailor said.
The sergeant said school let out at 3 p.m., and that those who gathered before that time may have been ditching class. A woman who answered the phone at the school said students who do not have clearance from their parents to be absent from class could face detention.
The play, which continues tonight at the school, nearly did not go forward.
Drama instructor Ron Martin said he decided to stage the play based on overhearing slurs and offensive videos posted by students online. He said the principal questioned the portrayal of homosexuality and prostitution in the play -- although Martin said he chose a version edited for schools -- and requested a copy of the script.
Martin said he could not provide one in time for Principal Fal Asrani's review and to get clearance from the licensing company, and that the principal opted to cancel it. But Asrani said asking for the script is common practice, and that it was Martin that opted to cancel the production.
Drama students and alumni later objected to the cancellation, and the play was reinstated.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California subsequently sued the school -- citing the "Rent" issue among others -- for allegedly fostering a "sexist" and "homophobic" atmosphere.
Staff attorney Lori Rifkin said the earlier cancellation of the play and a failure to address a growing atmosphere of intolerance at the school paved the way for the church group to picket.
"Now is the perfect time to stand up for students, condemn intolerance and address the disturbing atmosphere of homophobia that has flourished at Corona del Mar High School," Rifkin said.
The Anti-Defamation League condemned the demonstration by members of the church.
"The Westboro Baptist Church is nothing more than a hate group masquerading as a church," said ADL Regional Director Kevin O'Grady. He called the group virulently anti-gay and anti-Semitic.
Westboro Baptist Church leaders reportedly believe the end of the world is imminent and that President Barack Obama is the antichrist. Church members have shown up at soldiers' funerals, contending they were killed by God because America is accepting of homosexuality.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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