Love won in Orlando on Saturday as the chants of a handful anti-LGBT protesters were drowned out by a much larger crowd singing 鈥楢mazing Grace.鈥�
Surreal: one side sings 'amazing grace' as protesters chant against them while funeral next door
鈥� Richard Madan (@RichardMadan)
Members of the Westboro Baptist Church, well-known for its hatred toward the LGBT community, set up a protest one block from a funeral for Christopher Leonin, 32, who was killed last Sunday at Pulse nightclub.
The extremist church鈥檚 messages included 鈥淕od is not mocked鈥� and 鈥淕od hates fag enablers.鈥�
According to an estimate by CTV鈥檚 Richard Madan, more than 1,000 people showed up to counter the church鈥檚 tiny protest.
Showdown: 1000+ supporters prepare for Westboro Baptist Church, who will protest funeral
鈥� Richard Madan (@RichardMadan)
Some held American flags. Others held up rainbow-covered placards with messages like 鈥淟ove Wins,鈥� 鈥淟ove > hate,鈥� and 鈥淥rlando Strong.鈥�
One man鈥檚 handmade sign said 鈥淲BC you鈥檝e never actually READ the Bible.鈥�
A group of bikers were among those who showed up to stand against the religious extremists.
Biker gang joins march against Westboro Baptist Chruch
鈥� Richard Madan (@RichardMadan)
Members of a local theatre troupe showed up wearing 鈥渁ngel wings,鈥� which they used to block the protesters from view.
Now, people wearing 'angel wings' take their place to block the view of Westboro Church protesters
鈥� Richard Madan (@RichardMadan)
Orlando Police had warned the public of the protest and promised to 鈥渆nsure the safety of everyone at the funeral services and vigils in our city.鈥�
OPD will ensure the safety of everyone at funeral services and vigils in our city. We stand with you.
鈥� Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice)
Shortly after noon, the police said on Twitter that protesters had 鈥渓eft the state鈥� and thanked those who 鈥渕et the protest with grace and love.鈥�
Westboro protesters have left the state & no plans to return. Thank you to those who met protest with grace & love.
鈥� Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice)
With a report from CTV鈥檚 Richard Madan in Orlando
