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About Us
Silent Witness Peacekeepers Alliance (SWPA) is an organization of gay and straight allies dedicated to providing a non-confrontational buffer between the LGBT (lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender) community and those who would protest LGBT events. We are peacekeepers, not counter-protesters, protecting everyone's right of free speech. We provide visual protection from "street preachers" and protesters at events such as Pridefests, the showing of films such as Jim in Bold and For the Bible Tells Me So, or staging of plays such as The Laramie Project, using our bodies and rainbow umbrellas as shields. In times of need, we intervene to prevent confrontations between protesters and event participants, often acting as escorts for those who would like to attend such events. Where there are those who publicly promote hate, we will be there to help provide a loving, supportive front opposing them. We provide a visual representation of support for those in our society who may feel marginalized, while simultaneously protecting everyone's rights of free speech and religion.Silent Witnesses receive significant training in non-confrontation techniques specially designed for the type of work they do. Only those who have received this training may participate in an event as a Silent Witness. Silent Witnesses are easily recognized by their special safety vests and rainbow umbrellas.
Silent Witnesses have
been part of GLBT events in Pennsylvania
since 2006. Our purpose is to act as a "human spiritual
firewall" between GLBT folks and those individuals who believe GLBT's
are an abomination on the face of the earth. This concerned and
dedicated group of activists consists of over 600 local individuals who
have been specially trained to deal with hate-mongers. Because street
preachers and other vicious protestors have a long history of
picketing, antagonizing and subsequently suing various individuals and
organizations, Silent Witnesses stand ready to prevent confrontations
while welcoming and supporting GLBT participants to the event they are
attending.
It is often a
struggle to refrain from arguing with street preachers
and other protestors, but based on
past experience, confronting them is
clearly useless. Their attempts to engage participants in a "dialogue"
are thinly disguised attempts to trap unsuspecting subjects into
listening to their diatribe. They are impervious to logic. And at their
worst, they are trying to earn a living by provoking an attack and
filing lawsuits. It
is precisely this kind of result that SWPA is determined to
prevent.
While individual members of SWPA may hold deep religious beliefs, and are free to express them during events, SWPA supports diversity in all its forms, including religion. For some, it is their belief in the all-abiding love of their God that inspires them to do this work. For others it is their belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all people that drives their participation. Whatever the motivation, the result is the same: we will continue to support the rights of those who suffer expressions of hate.
For more information about Silent Witness PA and training opportunities, please follow the Training link on the menu.
