Our MANSFIELD IS NO PLACE FOR HATE group formed in response to the intended protest of a military funeral by the Westboro Baptist Church (hate group).

We called a meeting immediately after learning of WBC's plan to demonstrate at the funeral in an effort to turn reaction into a positive, coordinated response with helpful input by community/area residents, the neighbors/friends of Lt. Col. Greene's family, and civic participation by the Police Chief and Chair of the Town Selectmen.

We determined to work with the Mansfield Police and Mansfield Fire Dept. to honor Lt. Col. Michael J. Greene on the day of his funeral by organizing a peaceful display of citizens with flags as the motorcade passed on the way to National Cemetery.

We created an open Facebook Page for the group so as to stimulate input and further enhance communication and connections in and beyond our community. And we are now preparing to meet again to establish a proactive mechanism whereby we can build on positive, constructive approaches to stemming the rising tide of hate and violence.