SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Members of the Westboro Baptist Church, which is considered a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League, were in town Friday afternoon protesting East Valley High School in Spokane Valley.
The group protested at the school in response to a transgender student-athlete winning a state track championship title last May. The controversial group is known for protesting LGBTQIA+ issues.
East Valley Middle and High School students were let out early to avoid them. The district sent a notice to parents Wednesday night that both the middle school and the high school would be let out early because of the protests.
"An attack on one is an attack against all of our kids," East Valley School District Superintendent Brian Talbott said.
The middle school was let out at 12:40 p.m. and the high school was let out at 1 p.m. The two schools usually end shortly after 2 p.m.
"We're ending school early which is, obviously, shortening my education for the day," Baron Botello, a junior at East Valley High School, said.
Botello acknowledged the frustration of having school end early for students but said it was for the best given the circumstances.
Baron's mother, Bethany, agreed.
"I agree with how the district is handling the situation," Bethany said.
The group held protests across different areas of Spokane, including Gonzaga University and the Spokane Convention Center, but Bethany said protesting at a high school is different.
"When you start messing with their education and their safety, it negatively impacts their goals of what they're trying to achieve," Bethany said.
Talbott agreed, saying the protest is not something any member of the K-12 system should have to face.
"They're targeting a child," Talbott said. "When it comes to threatening a child or pinpoint, targeting a child, we can rally together. We have more in common that that's not okay, and it's not going to be tolerated."
Mark Gregory, public information officer for the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, said the department was aware of the situation and monitored the protest as it was happening.