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Those Protesters Sean Penn Was Referring To
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 23, 2009
Modified Feb 23, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 23, 2009
Modified Feb 23, 2009
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When giving his Best Actor acceptance speech, Sean Penn said, "For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way of support." LAist has photographs of the protesters, who are from Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas; one said, "I'm picketing the Oscars because the entertainment industry in this country is just ...one of the institutions, that you're using to promote sin and filth and rebellion against the commandments and standards of God." And Penn later said backstage, "I think that these are largely taught limitations and ignorances. It's very sad in a way, because it's a demonstration of such emotional cowardice to be so afraid to be extending the same rights to a fellow man as you would want for yourself."
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anti gay
la
oscars
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sean penn
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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