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The [[documentary film]] [[A Nation Adrift]] chronicles some of the events that took place during the '''Hamilton Square Baptist Church riot''' in [[San Francisco]] on the date of September 19, 1993 in which an angry group of male [[homosexuals]] and [[lesbian]]s vandalized church property, assaulted church members, terrorized church congregants, screamed profanity, threw rocks, harassed and scared children, and disrupted a church service.<ref name = "ctoday">[[Christianity Today]], November 8, 1993, v37, page 57</ref><ref name = "hamsquaresep1993">http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref><ref name = "hamsquarebarko">http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiots_Barko_Account.htm</ref><ref>http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41037</ref> During the riot the rioters pounded on the church doors and attempted to kick them down. When the rioters saw church children standing in the lobby, they shouted "We want your children. Give us your children." <ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/> During the riot an eight year old mentally handicapped girl was verbally accosted when exiting through the front entrance of the church and was so traumatized that she fell down the church steps.<ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/> In addition, a nine-year-old boy, was hysterically crying and said "They are after me. It's me they want."  The nine-year-old boy did not calm down until the family was several miles from the building.<ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/>  

The [[documentary film]] [[A Nation Adrift]] chronicles some of the events that took place during the '''Hamilton Square Baptist Church riot''' in [[San Francisco]] on the date of September 19, 1993 in which an angry group of male [[homosexuals]] and [[lesbian]]s vandalized church property, assaulted church members, terrorized church congregants, screamed profanity, threw rocks, harassed and scared children, and disrupted a church service.<ref name = "ctoday">[[Christianity Today]], November 8, 1993, v37, page 57</ref><ref name = "hamsquaresep1993">http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref><ref name = "hamsquarebarko">http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiots_Barko_Account.htm</ref><ref>http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41037</ref> During the riot the rioters pounded on the church doors and attempted to kick them down. When the rioters saw church children standing in the lobby, they shouted "We want your children. Give us your children." <ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/> During the riot an eight year old mentally handicapped girl was verbally accosted when exiting through the front entrance of the church and was so traumatized that she fell down the church steps.<ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/> In addition, a nine-year-old boy, was hysterically crying and said "They are after me. It's me they want."  The nine-year-old boy did not calm down until the family was several miles from the building.<ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/>  

According to Pastor David Innes, Senior Pastor of Hamilton Square Baptist church, the protesters

According to Pastor David Innes, Senior Pastor of Hamilton Square Baptist church, the protesters denied people entrance to the church and in some cases did it by force.<ref name = "ctoday"/>  

denied people entrance to the church and in some cases did it by physical contact.<ref name = "ctoday"/>  

When people entered the church demonstrators gave out phony flyers said to be church flyers. In addition, the phony flyers were also put on automobile windshields in the surrounding area.<ref name = "baptistpillar">http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0204.htm</ref>  By 6:00 PM that evening a riotous conditions were under way and the rioters had control of the outside church property.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/> The church asked the officer in charge several times to remove the protesters but the officer stated that things were completely under control and that police regulations and procedures prevented him from removing the rioters.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/>   

When people entered the church demonstrators gave out phony flyers said to be church flyers. In addition, the phony flyers were also put on automobile windshields in the surrounding area.<ref name = "baptistpillar">http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0204.htm</ref>  By 6:00 PM that evening a riotous conditions were under way and the rioters had control of the outside church property.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/> The church asked the officer in charge several times to remove the protesters but the officer claimed that things were "completely under control", despite the opposite being true, and that police regulations and procedures "prevented" him from removing the rioters.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/>   

Near the start of the church service an usher who placed himself to assist members to enter the church.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/>  The church usher saw church property being destroyed and told an officer who turned away and ignored him.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/>  The rioters recognized the usher as a member of the church and surrounded him so he could not move.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/>  

Near the start of the church service an usher who placed himself to assist members to enter the church.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/>  The church usher saw church property being destroyed and told an officer who conveniently turned away and ignored him.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/>  The rioters recognized the usher as a member of the church and swarmed him so he could not move.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/>  

[[Image:Wicked.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The book ''When the Wicked Seize a City'' by Dr. [[Chuck McIlhenny]] recounts how he and his church were terrorized by [[homosexuality|homosexual]] activists in San Francisco.]]  

[[Image:Wicked.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The book ''When the Wicked Seize a City'' by Dr. [[Chuck McIlhenny]] recounts how he and his church were terrorized by [[homosexuality|homosexual]] activists in San Francisco.]]  

Below is a news release which describes the rioters denying people access to the church:

Below is a news release which describes the rioters denying people access to the church:

The news release also describes the following:  

The news release also describes the following:  

A mother and her six-year-old daughter were told they could not enter the building.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/> A rioter grabbed the six year old's arm while she was clinging to her mother and the rioter began interrogating the six-year-old girl.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/> The mother and daughter finally gained entry into the church by passing through the rioters.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/>  The child was terrified and began crying.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/> The mother also had invited an elderly friend to the church who was refused entry by the group of rioters.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/> Twenty minutes passed by before the mother was able to get her elderly friend into the church service.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/> Many other elderly and children were terrorized by the rioters. One couple who regularly attended the church were hindered from entering the church by the rioters who had been moved to the sidewalk.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/> When the woman of the couple entered the church she was so distressed that one of our other ladies at the church had to help her calm down.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/> Another member stood across the street from the church and did not enter the church because of fear of being subject to physical violence.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/>

A mother and her six-year-old daughter were told they could not enter the building.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/> A rioter grabbed the six year old's arm while she was clinging to her mother and the rioter began interrogating the six-year-old girl.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/> The mother and daughter finally gained entry into the church by passing through the rioters.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/>  The child was terrified by the rioters and began crying.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/> The mother also had invited an elderly friend to the church who was refused entry by the group of rioters.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/> Twenty minutes passed by before the mother was able to get her elderly friend into the church service.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/> Many other elderly and children were terrorized by the rioters. One couple who regularly attended the church were hindered from entering the church by the rioters who had been moved to the sidewalk.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/> When the woman of the couple entered the church she was so distressed that one of our other ladies at the church had to help her calm down.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/> Another member stood across the street from the church and did not enter the church because of fear of being subject to physical violence.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/>

Some of the details of the September 19, 1993 event are disputed. Noah Griffin, a spokesperson

Some of the details of the September 19, 1993 event were disputed or denied by apologists for the rioters. Noah Griffin, a spokesperson for the San Francisco mayor's office, claimed that "No police officer in San Francisco would stand by while someone trying to enter a church is assaulted." <ref name = "ctoday"/> However, Pastor Innes told ''[[Christianity Today]]'' that "We stand by everything in the news release. We put nothing in it that cannot be verified with video, eyewitnesses, and pictures." <ref name = "ctoday"/> In addition, the following was reported in the October 28, 1993 edition of The ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'':  

for the San Francisco mayor's office, stated that "No police officer in San Francisco would stand by while someone trying to enter a church is assaulted." <ref name = "ctoday"/> However, Pastor Innes told ''[[Christianity Today]]'' that "We stand by everything in the news release. We put nothing in it that cannot be verified with video, eyewitnesses, and pictures." <ref name = "ctoday"/> In addition, the following was reported in the October 28, 1993 edition of The [[San Francisco Chronicle]]:  

{{cquote|Although the two-hour protest received scant attention locally, Innis buttressed his campaign and the police investigation with videotape shot by a member of his congregation. The tape shows demonstrators jostling members entering the church, engaging in a brief shoving match with outnumbered police officers and trying to kick open a side door.}}  

{{cquote|Although the two-hour protest received scant attention locally, Innis buttressed his campaign and the police investigation with videotape shot by a member of his congregation. The tape shows demonstrators jostling members entering the church, engaging in a brief shoving match with outnumbered police officers and trying to kick open a side door.}}  

{{cquote|It sort of amazed me watching the film that it got to that level," Cairnes said. "I was upset that it did get that far . . . that the rights of people going to church should be attacked. That's one of our basic freedoms in this country. And it's something that just won't be tolerated again.<ref name = "SFChronOct28">The San Francisco Chronicle, October 28, 1993</ref>}}

{{cquote|It sort of amazed me watching the film that it got to that level," Cairnes said. "I was upset that it did get that far . . . that the rights of people going to church should be attacked. That's one of our basic freedoms in this country. And it's something that just won't be tolerated again.<ref name = "SFChronOct28">The San Francisco Chronicle, October 28, 1993</ref>}}

The church believes that the police department acted poorly during the riot. According to the church, "In spite of all this malicious disruption, not a single arrest was made by police outside of one citizen's arrest. The church's property was not secured, and the fundamental rights of the worshippers were not protected because, we were told, "The Board of Supervisors would never support the measures necessary to do so.""  <ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/>

The church believes that the police department acted poorly during the riot, in some cases deliberately so. According to the church, "In spite of all this malicious disruption, not a single arrest was made by police outside of one citizen's arrest. The church's property was not secured, and the fundamental rights of the worshippers were not protected because, we were told, "The Board of Supervisors would never support the measures necessary to do so.""  <ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/>

[[Image:Rev. Louis P. Sheldon Photo.jpg|thumb|left|[[Louis Sheldon]]]]

[[Image:Rev. Louis P. Sheldon Photo.jpg|thumb|left|[[Louis Sheldon]]]]

The day of the riot was the day Reverend [[Louis Sheldon]], of the [[Traditional Values Coalition]], was a guest speaker.<ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/>

The day of the riot was the day Reverend [[Louis Sheldon]], of the [[Traditional Values Coalition]], was a guest speaker.<ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/>

Only the church's membership and regular attenders were notified of the service, through the church's bulletin. No public notice or invitation was made in regards to the guest speaker.<ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/>  However, the September 16, 1993 edition of the [[Bay Area Reporter]], the meeting was made public in a front page article using inflammatory language.<ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/> In addition, two homosexual newspapers called for a protest.<ref name = "ctoday"/>  The church received telephone calls prior to the Reverend Sheldon's arrival demanding that he should not come and threatening to disrupt the service.  

Only the church's membership and regular attenders were notified of the service, through the church's bulletin. No public notice or invitation was made in regards to the guest speaker.<ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/>  However, the September 16, 1993 edition of the [[Bay Area Reporter]], the meeting was made public in a front page article using inflammatory language.<ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/> In addition, two homosexual newspapers called for a protest.<ref name = "ctoday"/>  The church received telephone calls prior to the Reverend Sheldon's arrival demanding that he should not come and threatening to disrupt the service.  

<ref name = "ctoday"/><ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/> In addition, two people visited the church and told a church employee that the church could not have Reverend Sheldon as a guest speaker at the church and that they were going to stop it from happening.<ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/>

<ref name = "ctoday"/><ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/> In addition, two people visited the church and told a church employee that the church could not have Reverend Sheldon as a guest speaker at the church and that they intended to stop it from happening.<ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/>

Pastor Innes told ''Christianity Today'' that he does not blame the San Francisco police but those in political power especially the board of supervisors. Innes stated, "You really can't compare San Francisco with any other city. Homosexual advocates infiltrate

Pastor Innes told ''Christianity Today'' that he does not blame the San Francisco police but those in political power, especially the board of supervisors. Innes stated, "You really can't compare San Francisco with any other city. Homosexual advocates infiltrate and dominate the political structures here. Police are in straitjackets. They can't do their job. They've been instructed not to arrest homosexuals."<ref name = "ctoday"/>  Griffin responded by saying that "The gist of the phone calls we've been receiving is that police do not do anything because of the gay voting bloc in this city. That simply is not true." <ref name = "ctoday"/> Pastor Innes countered though by citing a letter written by a 25-year veteran of the San Francisco police force which was published in a September 30, 1993 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper.<ref name = "ctoday"/> In police officers letter, the officer describes a recent assignment regarding keeping things under control at the city's Folsom Street Fair.<ref name = "ctoday"/>  According to the letter the officer described, the fair included food and craft booths, but "appeared to have as its main theme a public display of the private sexual practices and preferences of consenting adults." <ref name = "ctoday"/> The officer described seeing totally naked male couples publicly engaging in lewd sex.<ref name = "ctoday"/>  The officer in his letter stated that he was "highly embarrassed" when people asked him why he was not making any arrests.<ref name = "ctoday"/>  The officer stated that "At least a dozen times I had to painstakingly explain that we were to take a position of 'high tolerance' and not to create an incident." <ref name = "ctoday"/>  

and dominate the political structures here. Police are in straitjackets. They can't do their job. They've been instructed not to arrest homosexuals."<ref name = "ctoday"/>  Griffin responded by saying that "The gist of the phone calls we've been receiving is that police do not do anything because of the gay voting bloc in this city. That simply is not true." <ref name = "ctoday"/> Pastor Innes countered though by citing a letter written by a 25-year veteran

of the San Francisco police force which was published in a September 30, 1993 edition

of the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper.<ref name = "ctoday"/> In police officers letter, the officer describes a

recent assignment regarding keeping things under control at the San Francisco's Folsom Street

Fair.<ref name = "ctoday"/>  According to the letter the officer described, the fair included food and craft booths, but "appeared to have as its main theme a public display of the private sexual practices and preferences of consenting adults." <ref name = "ctoday"/> The officer described seeing totally naked male couples publicly engaging in lewd sex.<ref name = "ctoday"/>  The officer in his letter stated that he was "highly embarrassed" when people asked him he was not making any arrests.<ref name = "ctoday"/>  The officer stated that "At least a dozen times I had to painstakingly explain that we were to take a position of 'high tolerance' and not to create an incident." <ref name = "ctoday"/>  

[[Image:Peter.jpg|right|thumb|150px|[[Peter LaBarbera]]]]

[[Image:Peter.jpg|right|thumb|150px|[[Peter LaBarbera]]]]

Christianity Today also reported the following regarding the incident:

Christianity Today also reported the following regarding the incident:

{{cquote|Although Sheldon has had his home painted with graffiti and his office littered with manure by radical homosexuals, this is the first time he was targeted at a church. According to [[Peter LaBarbera]], editor of the Lambda Report, a California-based newsletter that monitors the homosexual movement, the incident represents a trend toward increased militancy among homosexual activists.<ref name = "ctoday"/>}}

{{cquote|Although Sheldon has had his home painted with graffiti and his office littered with manure by radical homosexuals, this is the first time he was targeted at a church. According to [[Peter LaBarbera]], editor of the Lambda Report, a California-based newsletter that monitors the homosexual movement, the incident represents a trend toward increased militancy among homosexual activists.<ref name = "ctoday"/>}}

Peter LaBarbera adds: "It's ironic that gay activist leaders claim they want more tolerance

Peter LaBarbera adds: "It's ironic that gay activist leaders claim they want more tolerance when, in fact, they are among the most intolerant people this country's got going."<ref name = "ctoday"/>  LaBarbera further states that the church protest is "an immensely important event because it signals the intolerance they have for people's religious views." <ref name = "ctoday"/>  

when, in fact, they are among the most intolerant people this country's

got going."<ref name = "ctoday"/>  LaBarbera further states that the church protest is "an immensely important event because it signals the intolerance they have for people's religious views." <ref name = "ctoday"/>  

Police Inspector Robert O'Sullivan called the riot the worst San Francisco church protest since 1983, when arsonists burned the First Orthodox Presbyterian Church where [[Chuck McIlhenny|the minister]] had preached against homosexuality.<ref name = "SFChronOct28"/>

Police Inspector Robert O'Sullivan called the riot the worst San Francisco church protest since 1983, when arsonists burned the First Orthodox Presbyterian Church where [[Chuck McIlhenny|the minister]] had preached against homosexuality.<ref name = "SFChronOct28"/>

== Post Riot Public and Press Reaction ==

== Post Riot Public and Press Reaction ==

 

After the riot, the local mainstream media colluded to impose a news blackout regarding the riot according to David C. Innes, who is the senior pastor of Hamilton Square Baptist Church.<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993">http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsNov1993.htm</ref> However, news of the attack on Hamilton Square Baptist Church spread fast across [[Christianity|Christian]] radio and television and an audio tape of the rioters seeking to break down the church doors was played in thousands of churches.  

After the riot, there was a local news blackout regarding the riot among the local press according to David C. Innes who is the senior pastor of Hamilton Square Baptist Church.<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993">http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsNov1993.htm</ref> However, news of the attack on Hamilton Square Baptist Church spread fast across [[Christianity|Christian]] radio and television and an audio tape of the rioters seeking to break down the church doors was played in thousands of churches.  

<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/> Thousands of calls came pouring into the offices of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors and coverage by the [[Christian Broadcast Network]] broadcast were major factors in ending the local news blackout concerning the riot.<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/>  Also, according to the church, "Concerned citizens from all across America flooded the telephone switchboards of City Hall, but their phone calls were diverted to the City Sewage Treatment department."<ref name = "hamsquarebarko"/>  In addition, according to Pastor Innes, "Foreign embassies were notified of the incident. What began as an attack upon a church under cover of a news blackout became a "shot heard around the world"."<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/>  

<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/> Thousands of calls came pouring into the offices of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors and coverage by the [[Christian Broadcast Network]] broadcast were major factors in ending the local news blackout concerning the riot.<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/>  Also, according to the church, "Concerned citizens from all across America flooded the telephone switchboards of City Hall, but their phone calls were diverted to the City Sewage Treatment department."<ref name = "hamsquarebarko"/>  In addition, according to Pastor Innes, "Foreign embassies were notified of the incident. What began as an attack upon a church under cover of a news blackout became a "shot heard around the world"."<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/>  

An executive from a large multinational corporation called the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau and informed the bureau that the corporation he represents made a decision not to bring conventions utilizing 30,000 hotel rooms to the city because of the city's failure to protect the Hamilton Square Baptist Church.<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/> In addition, after the riot Christian groups threatened to boycott San Francisco.<ref name = "lasvegas">The Las Vegas Review-Journal, November 9, 1993</ref>  A November 11, 1993 editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle stated the following: "The demonstrators at Hamilton Square Baptist Church endangered not only their own cause but the cause of freedom itself."<ref>San Francisco Chronicle, November 11, 1993</ref>

An executive from a large multinational corporation called the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau and informed the bureau that the corporation he represents made a decision not to bring conventions utilizing 30,000 hotel rooms to the city because of the city's failure to protect the Hamilton Square Baptist Church.<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/> In addition, after the riot Christian groups threatened to boycott San Francisco.<ref name = "lasvegas">The Las Vegas Review-Journal, November 9, 1993</ref>  A November 11, 1993 editorial in the ''San Francisco Chronicle'' stated the following: "The demonstrators at Hamilton Square Baptist Church endangered not only their own cause but the cause of freedom itself."<ref>San Francisco Chronicle, November 11, 1993</ref>

[[Image:AAC-2544.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|Mayor [[Frank Jordan]]]]

[[Image:AAC-2544.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|Mayor [[Frank Jordan]]]]

Three days after the riot, Mayor Frank Jordan, the Chief of Police, and a representative from the District Attorney's office assured the church that an another event like the riot would not be permitted.<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/> However,  

Three days after the riot, Mayor Frank Jordan, the Chief of Police, and a representative from the District Attorney's office assured the church that an another event like the riot would not be permitted.<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/> However, according to Pastor Innes, "Meanwhile, the Board of Supervisors with one or two exceptions has to this day stonewalled, denying that anything illegal or inappropriate had ever happened." <ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/>  Thus, according to Pastor Innes, "To protest the Board of Supervisors denial of any wrongdoing as well as their approval and blessing upon those who rioted against the Church, a Freedom Rally was held on Monday, November 8." <ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/> The Freedom Rally brought 400 plus pastors and laymen from across the United States and represented over sixty thousand churches.<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/> According to Pastor Innes police protection was superb during the Freedom Rally.<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/> The major newspapers and news networks covered the Freedom Rally and according to Pastor Innes most of the coverage was favorable.<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/>  

according to Pastor Innes, "Meanwhile, the Board of Supervisors with one or two exceptions has to this day stonewalled, denying that anything illegal or inappropriate had ever happened." <ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/>  Thus, according to Pastor Innes, "To protest the Board of Supervisors denial of any wrongdoing as well as their approval and blessing upon those who rioted against the Church, a Freedom Rally was held on Monday, November 8." <ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/> The Freedom Rally brought 400 plus pastors and laymen from across the United States and represented over sixty thousand churches.<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/> According to Pastor Innes police protection was superb during the Freedom Rally.<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/> The major newspapers and news networks covered the Freedom Rally and according to Pastor Innes most of the coverage was favorable.<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/>  

Below is a Hamilton Square Baptist Church members description of the Freedom Rally:  

Below is a Hamilton Square Baptist Church members description of the Freedom Rally:  

==References==

==References==

{{reflist|2}}

{{reflist|2}}