Among the thousands gathered in Orlando to mourn the death of Christopher Andrew Leinonen, were protesters from Westboro Baptist Church, carrying their usual anti-gay signs and shouting their usual odious twaddle. This time, though, the hate-mongering religious nuts were met by counter-protesters from the city’s Shakespeare Theater dressed as angels with wings large enough to block them out.

“Angel wings are meant as a loving support to the fallen, not to create more anger or violence,” Jim Helsinger, the theater’s artistic director, said in a statement.

Other counter-protesters who shielded friends and family of the victim held rainbow banners and signs emblazoned with the words “OrlandoStrong” and quietly sang “Amazing Grace.” When the people dressed as angels appeared, they said nothing as the crowd cheered.

According to one account, the measures worked. “We couldn’t even hear WBC,” an attendee said on Facebook. “All you could hear was peace and love.”

Gorgeous. Check out the pics below. (via NBC news)

People cheer as tiny group of Westboro Baptist Church protesters leaves. Also thank @OrlandoPolice #OrlandoStrong pic.twitter.com/BXHYthWnyU

— Joey Flechas (@joeflech) June 18, 2016