Church targeted with threats linked to Orlando Pulse after hosting anti-Trump event
After hosting an event on the anniversary of the inauguration of President Trump’s inauguration, a church has been targeted with violent threats.
The Unitarian Universalist Church was targeted with the violent threats and racial and homophobic slurs.
One of the banners painted on a bed sheet read: “Die F*****s, Orlando just like Los Vegas (sic),” referring to the Orlando Pulse and Las Vegas shootings of recent years.
Another banner found at the church referred to singer-songwriter Jackson Browne, who is known for his liberal stances.
It used a number of homophobic and racial slurs including the word “fag”.
Another of the messages painted on the banners referred to Tuesday, January 23, which Reverend Charlie Davis says he thinks is a threat.
He said he could not work out the significance of the date because the church has no events planned for that day.
But the singer Browne, has an event planned in Orlando on January 23.
The FBI has been notified by local authorities, and West Lafayette Police Chief Jason Dombkowski is investigating.
“This will not be tolerated in our community,” Dombkowski told the Journal and Courier.
And the Mayor of Lafayette, John Dennies, said: “I’m so f*****g mad”.
“West Lafayette has been and always will be an open and welcoming community,” Dennis wrote on Facebook.
“We will not allow our embracing of all that is right to be targeted by those who feel empowered to deliver a message of hate, violence and exclusivity.”
A member of the church, Suzan Windnagel said she was the one to find the banners after she came to the church to pick up tables for an art fair.
“I automatically called 911, because, I mean, you’ve seen the pictures of what was there,” Windnagel said.
“The words were sickening, hate-filled and threatening.”
Pastor Davis said the banners were taken down when they were found and that police were immediately notified.
“Only a few of us knew about it before service started,” said Davis.
“Dr. Cornelius Bynum of Purdue was a guest speaker. He spoke about the history of government control of black bodies since slavery. At the end of the service, I announced that the signs had been put up. Denise Wilson of the Blue Moon Rising Chorus lead us in a spontaneous rendition of “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around.’”
