Westboro Baptist Church Has A Cameo In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Trailer

Westboro Baptist Church Sneaks Into The 'Batman v Superman' Trailer
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NEW YORK -- The Westboro Baptist Church boasts a brief cameo in the recently released trailer for "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." Spotted by Mediaite, a sign is shown during the scene in which Superman arrives at the Capitol building in Washington, flanked by protesters.

One is holding a placard that says “God Hates Aliens,” a parody of the “God Hates Fags” signs for which the evangelical Kansas cult has become synonymous.

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In the same shot, there’s a sign that reads “Superman = Illegal Alien,” a nod to the heated debate on immigration in the US, a row that has become even more inflamed following the announcement of Donald Trump’s presidential candidacy, the property tycoon running on a plank of populist bigotry.

The Church had threatened to picket the funerals of the victims of last month’s Charleston shooting, using the hashtag, “God sent the shooter.” In response, hacktivist group Anonymous threatened to retaliate at the funerals and online. There were no reports of the group attending any of the memorials for the victims.

In a recent podcast, author Sam Harris speaks with Megan Phelps-Roper, granddaughter of WBC’s Fred Phelps, about the function of the church that she recently left. You can listen to the podcast below.

10 Amazing Westboro Baptist Church Counter Protests
God Responds(01 of10)
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At a 2010 WBC counter protest in Portland, Oregon, one man showed up dressed as God, himself. "No I don't," his simple sign responded to the WBC's notorious "God hates ___" signs. (credit:Flickr)
Pure Love(02 of10)
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Sometimes the best way to combat hatred and intolerance is through love. The adorable "couple kiss" counter protest has been an popular and powerful way many have confronted the WBC's intolerance. (credit:Buzzfeed)
Angel Action(03 of10)
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One of the most powerful WBC counter protests was the 1999 Angel Action wall of love outside the courthouse where Matthew Shepard's accused killers were on trial. The event has been recreated over the years in the acclaimed play, The Laramie Project. (credit:The Laramie Project/Duke)
The Human Wall(04 of10)
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In July of 2012, hundreds of Texas A&M students gathered to create a human wall around the funeral service for a soldier, which the WBC had come to protest. As one organizer wrote on Facebook, "In response to their signs of hate, we will wear maroon. In response to their mob anger, we will form a line, arm in arm. This is a silent vigil. A manifestation of our solidarity." (credit:Facebook/Leslie Mott)
9-Year-Olds(05 of10)
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Nine-year-old Josef Miles and his mother, Patty Akrouche, were walking around the Washburn University campus in Topeka, Kan., in May 2012 when they saw a group of Westboro Baptist Church protesters armed with signs. Miles asked if he could make his own sign and wrote the humble, powerful words, "God hates no one." (credit:Patty Akrouche)
Grandmas Supporting Soldiers(06 of10)
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In 2008 the WBC staged a protest against the funerals of three soldiers from the HM-15 Blackhawks. Counter-protesters came out in droves to deliver a different message, including this amazing woman. (credit:Flickr)
The Foo Fighters(07 of10)
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WBC picketed a Foo Fighters concert in 2011, inspiring the band to stage their own protest across from the Westboro picketers. Dressed in overalls and wigs, the band played "Keep it Clean (Hot Buns)," which, as it turns out, is a song about the lonesome life of a gay long-haul trucker. (credit:NBC)
Style and Patriotism(08 of10)
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This photo, posted by Twitter user @yadnulsirhc, shows just how sassy, stylish and patriotic a WBC counter protest can be. (credit: yadnulsirhc/Twitter)
Motorcycles and Flags(09 of10)
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This human wall of love and patriotism came about at the same WBC counter protest in support of the Blackhawk soldiers who lost their lives. Motorcycles, American flags and endless love sounds like a much better demonstration than whatever WBC put together. (credit:Flickr)
More Human Walls(10 of10)
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In February of 2014, the WBC landed in Missouri to protest the coming out of football player Michael Sam. An estimated 2,000 students and supporters braved the snow to form a “Stand with Sam” human wall, blocking the WBC protesters' view from campus. (credit:Colin Lovett for LGBTQ Nation)

(H/T Mediaite)