Staten Island artist Scott LoBaido Will Be In Kansas To Show Phelps The Devil
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Next stop, Kansas.
Staten Island big-flag artist "Citizen Scott" LoBaido said yesterday he will take a brief respite from his 50-state painting marathon Sunday to unveil a one-of-a-kind portrait in front of the Westboro Baptist Church compound of the Rev. Fred Phelps.
"I will give him a taste of First Amendment medicine," said LoBaido of the anti-gay pastor who leads protests at military funerals to denounce what Phelps says is the country's acceptance of homosexuality.
LoBaido said he will post a 4-by-5-foot canvas of Phelps "embracing a fellow who is red and has horns" on an easel on the back of his truck across the street from the compound Sunday at "high noon" to draw attention to the "despicable acts" of Phelps and his followers.
While Phelps' protests have been denounced by politicians of all stripes, they have been upheld on First Amendment grounds by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Lawmakers, in turn, including those in New York, have passed legislation creating a buffer zone between such protests and grieving families.
PHELPS: His protests at military funerals have been denounced by politicians of all stripes.In the meantime, yesterday, LoBaido was finishing up refurbishing one of his big-flag designs on the roof of a locksmith in Denton, Texas.
The Grasmere painter and performance artist next heads to Kansas, where he'll redo the flag on the roof of a radio business in Dodge City.
LoBaido aims to touch down in all 50 states in a reprise of his successful effort five years ago to repaint Old Glory to "rebuild pride in America."
He wants to finish in time to be home for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
LoBaido, who turned 46 earlier this month, said his "ankles hurt" and his "age is catching up to me from standing on all these rooftops."
With gasoline averaging $4 a gallon, he's relying on donations to get by.
"There were tornado warnings here the other night," said LoBaido. "There is nothing better than nature's fury."
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