Ohio school urges people to ignore church's protest

COLUMBUS (AP) — School officials want students and others to ignore an anti-gay church’s picket of an Ohio high school.

Westboro Baptist Church planned on Tuesday to picket Hilliard Darby High School in suburban Columbus, with school officials telling parents in a letter Friday that students participating for or against the protest will face school discipline.

The letter also urges community members not to mount a counterdemonstration.

The Topeka, Kan.-based church has attracted attention because of its anti-gay message and protests at military funerals.

Church members planned to be in Columbus after accepting an invitation to speak at another high school.

Church member Tim Phelps has told The Columbus Dispatch the church often pickets in an area where it is invited.