They came armed with signs, shirts and speech.

More than 400 people gathered to march and protest against the Westboro Baptist Church as well as promote peace and love.

“I suppose everyone is here for a different reason but it gives everybody an opportunity to be united on saying that equality and acceptance are important issues,” said protestor Joseph Coachman. “Say no to Fred is kind of the common thread.”

The Westboro Baptist Church, based in Topeka, is known for picketing the funerals of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and seeing those deaths as God's way of disapproving of homosexuality in America.

Gayle Nold came with her daughter Elli, who has witnessed the protests by the church throughout the city.

“We've been driving by and seeing the negativity,” said Nold. “She grew up with it her whole life and any chance we can have to prove an opposite message or give an opposite message of peace and love.”

People not only came from all four corners of Kansas but from across the United States as well like John Hamilton from San Francisco.

“Living in San Francisco, it’s much different of an experience than living in Kansas,” Hamilton said. “We have the freedom to be out more and we don't run into the problems as much I don't think. So we wanted to just come and voice our support and be here and just realize you know be part of the larger community as a whole.”

Topeka Police were on hand to give assistance and make sure everything ran smoothly.

They said the peaceful march went off without incident.

The event was open to everyone regardless of their sexual orientation.

Organizers hope to make the march an annual tradition.