Friday’s protest in downtown St Joseph was a study in contrasts, but one contrast seemed unique: the ringleader of the protest hugging the target of the protest.

Jeremy Eaton is the St Joseph artist who created the art that created the tension that created the protest. He seemed to be the happiest person there. That’s Jeremy dancing with the protesters. That’s Jeremy posing with his work. And, yes, that’s Jeremy hugging Shirley Phelps-Roper, the new head of the Topeka church that sponsored the protest.

There were a lot of other people there Friday, outside and inside the Cafe Pony Espresso at 114 S. 8th. All hands seemed happy. Some of the estimated 120 counter-protesters placed flowers at the feet of the church members with the signs. Many of them danced and sang songs.

And we’d really like to jam with that banjo-monkey.

Thanks once again to Will Corlett of WillC Photography for these pictures.