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GRANITE BAY-

For three months, a dozen Granite Bay High School students have been working to put on a play called “The Laramie Project,” a performance aimed at telling the story of Matthew Shepard, a man who was allegedly killed for being gay.

But, with just one week before opening night, the director of the school’s theater program has already prepared his students for picketers.

“I want them to stay focused and worry about their performance,” program director Kyle Holmes told FOX40.

The Westboro Baptist church indicated online that they plan to picket the opening of the play, on January 30.

“The Laramie Project is a pack of lies. It is another tool to teach children that God is a liar,” the group said in a written statement

“I feel like the community doesn’t always understand things. A show like this promotes awareness

for discrimination of all types,” student director Robert DeLeon said.

The school administration supports the play.

“We don’t feel threatened” Holmes said.

The school’s staff also said a few extra administrators may be on campus during opening night. But, other then that Holme’s plan is to stay focused.

According to California Penal code, picketers cannot picket on high school property. Instead, they would have to demonstrate across the street.

FOX40 reached out to the Westboro Baptist Church but they did not respond as of this posting.

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