‘Brother Jed’ is back on campus preaching his anti-gay and anti-feminist religious message on the Knight Library lawn. George Smock, Campus Ministry USA president, also known as ‘Brother Jed’, has drawn a crowd the past few days, and the University of Oregon Police Department showed up today to make sure it didn’t get out of hand.
Nearly 300 students gathered around 1 p.m. May 21, to protest against Brother Jed. Students were surrounding him holding signs reading: “Trigger Warning: Transphobia,” “Trigger Warning: Rape Culture” and more.
By 2 p.m., campus police arrived and many of the protesters moved out, though close to 50 students remained until evening. Several students were agitated and screamed at Smock. However, students were careful not to touch him, in order to avoid arrest.
Protesters want Smock banned from campus, but Maure Smith-Benanti, the coordinator of UO’s Bias Response Team, explained, “All of us have a right to say what we want, but that doesn’t mean we have to agree.”
Because Smock doesn’t have a reservation to speak on campus, he is allowed to preach as long as he doesn’t stay in one place, so he wandered around the lawn while protesters followed.
“The only thing we can do is counter-protest,” Smith-Benanti said.
Meerah Powell was on her way to class when she joined the group of students and community members protesting the teachings of Smock and his associate Mike Hail. The pair have been preaching against everything from homosexuality to wearing tights with holes, saying that women deserve rape if they dress a certain way, and gay rights supporters are going to hell.
“I just came to support the people being affected,” Powell said. “And to make it known that there are accepting people on this campus.”
UOPD Sgt. Brad Petrie said that there has been no violence today that he’s aware of. According to Petrie, it wasn’t necessary for police to be at the scene today.
“We’re here to protect everybody’s rights,” Petrie said. “As long as they’re not crossing lines into hate speech, they have the right to be here. They come here every year.”
Protesters chanted, “Hey hey, ho ho, homophobia’s got to go.”
Then Smock interrupted with his own chant: “Get this, sinners, and get it clear; Jesus Christ can save a queer!” Just then two women began kissing passionately directly in front of Smock, and the crowd started cheering.
But not all the spectators thought protesting was a good idea. One man yelled, “The only reason this yahoo is here is ’cause you’re feeding him. I’m leaving.”
Smock relished the attention. He encouraged people to challenge his views so he could argue with them. “Yes, I’m enjoying this,” Smock said, laughing. “I hope you all are having as much fun as I am. Now does anyone have an intelligent question, one that doesn’t have to do with sex?”
One protester held a sign reading “Christianity is not —>” with an arrow pointing at Smock.
The InterVarsity Christian Fellowship are also stationed on the Knight Library lawn, juxtaposing the preachings of the Campus Ministry USA.
The InterVarsity Christian Fellowship is engaging in conversations about injustice throughout the world with students; the fellowship is completely separate from Campus Ministry USA.
