N.D. high school play publicity stunt backfires

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Some North Dakota high school students trying to create publicity for their school play got more than they bargained for.

News that the Westboro Baptist Church planned to protest the Fargo South production of “The Laramie Project” put police on alert and sparked plans for a counter-protest. The play is about the killing of a gay man. The church is known for its anti-gay protests.

Minnesota Public Radio reports that play cast members posted on a Facebook site that they had actually sent the church e-mails under fake names, to try to get the church to protest. A parent of another cast member complained.

School district spokesman Lowell Wolff says an investigation concluded the students were naïve and didn't mean any harm. He says he can't comment on student discipline.

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