The world is still in shock following the passing of David Bowie just two days ago. The outpouring of grief continues, but for some people Bowie was not the right kind of icon.
The Westboro Baptist Church announced their intentions to picket Bowie’s funeral, telling fans to repent. So far, so terrible.
Perfect picket place! @CNN: David Bowie memorial concert planned for Carnegie Hall https://t.co/y5xmNs2Wndpic.twitter.com/VJwVnWA17E
— Westboro Baptist (@WBCSaysRepent) January 12, 2016
However, nonprofit organisation Planting Peace have planned something pretty great in response to the announcement they would be picketing the memorial concert at Carnegie Hall, New York City.
The Huffington Post report that they are organising a fundraiser for children living with cancer as a sort of counter-protest to the WBC, in memory of Bowie’s own battle with the illness.
Aaron Jackson, President of Planting Peace, told the Huffington Post:
‘ When the WBC began tweeting hateful messages to Mr. Bowie’s family and targeting various memorials for picketing, we felt like launching a fundraiser and providing a positive outlet for support that will help children and families battling cancer would be the perfect way to honor Mr. Bowie and show that acts of love and compassion speak louder than messages of hate.’
Previously they had done a similar campaign after the church picketed the funeral of comedian Robin Williams, which raised over $100,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
