'Love wins' in Orlando: crowd drowns out anti-LGBT funeral protesters

CTV News Channel: 'Pulse TO' vigil Pulse TO co-organizer Ryan Kerr discusses the vigil to be held in Nathan Phillips Square in honour of the victims of the Orlando shooting.

Love won in Orlando on Saturday as the chants of a handful anti-LGBT protesters were drowned out by a much larger crowd singing ‘Amazing Grace.’

Surreal: one side sings 'amazing grace' as protesters chant against them while #orlandoshooting funeral next door pic.twitter.com/UGaPSZLEOp

— Richard Madan (@RichardMadan) June 18, 2016

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’s messages included “God is not mocked” and “God hates fag enablers.”

Westboro Baptist Church supporters Westboro Baptist Church supporters picket nightclub shooting victims' funerals in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, June 18, 2016.

According to an estimate by CTV’s Richard Madan, more than 1,000 people showed up to counter the church’s tiny protest.

Showdown: 1000+ #LGBT supporters prepare for Westboro Baptist Church, who will protest #OrlandoShooting funeral pic.twitter.com/TPEqasHnlZ

— Richard Madan (@RichardMadan) June 18, 2016

Some held American flags. Others held up rainbow-covered placards with messages like “Love Wins,” “Love > hate,” and “Orlando Strong.”

Westboro Baptist Church protest in Orlando People hold placards to protest Westboro Baptist Church's picketing of funerals in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, June 18, 2016.

One man’s handmade sign said “WBC you’ve never actually READ the Bible.”

Protest against WBC in Orlando A man protests Westboro Baptist Church's picketing of funerals in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, June 18, 2016.

A group of bikers were among those who showed up to stand against the religious extremists.

Biker gang joins #LGBT march against Westboro Baptist Chruch #OrlandoShooting pic.twitter.com/MrHdb1UZ4r

— Richard Madan (@RichardMadan) June 18, 2016

Members of a local theatre troupe showed up wearing “angel wings,” 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 #OrlandoShooting pic.twitter.com/U7axVnYpSh

— Richard Madan (@RichardMadan) June 18, 2016

Orlando Police had warned the public of the protest and promised to “ensure the safety of everyone at the funeral services and vigils in our city.”

OPD will ensure the safety of everyone at funeral services and vigils in our city. We stand with you. #OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/OV1ptXwZVJ

— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 18, 2016

Shortly after noon, the police said on Twitter that protesters had “left the state” and thanked those who “met the protest with grace and love.”

Westboro protesters have left the state & no plans to return. Thank you to those who met protest with grace & love. pic.twitter.com/PZJ9F9MB9S

— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 18, 2016

With a report from CTV’s Richard Madan in Orlando