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[[Image:HamSquare.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|Hamilton Square Baptist Church]]

[[Image:HamSquare.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|Hamilton Square Baptist Church]]

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 a angry group of male [[homosexuals]] and [[lesbian]]s vandalized church property, assaulted church members, terrorized church congregants, screamed profanity, threw rocks, harrassed and scared children, and disrupted a church service.<ref>[[Christianity Today]], November 8, 1993, v37, page 57</ref><ref>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref> <ref>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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref> 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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref> 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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref>  

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 a 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>[[Christianity Today]], November 8, 1993, v37, page 57</ref><ref>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref> <ref>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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref> 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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref> 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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref>  

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 physical contact. <ref>Christianity Today, November 8, 1993, v37, page 57</ref>  

denied people entrance to the church and in some cases did it by physical contact. <ref>Christianity Today, November 8, 1993, v37, page 57</ref>  

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>http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0204.htm</ref>  By 6:00 PM that evening a riotious conditions were under way and the rioters had control of the outside church property. <ref>http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0204.htm</ref> The church asked the officer in charge several times to remove the protestors but the officer stated that things were completely under control and that police regulations and procedures prevented him from removing the rioters.<ref>http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0204.htm</ref>   

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>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>http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0204.htm</ref> 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>http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0204.htm</ref>   

Near the start of the church service a usher who placed himself to assist members to enter the church.<ref>http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0204.htm</ref>  The church usher saw church property being destroyed and told an officer who turned away and ignored him.<ref>http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0204.htm</ref>  The rioters recognized the usher as a member of the church and surrounded him so he could not move.<ref>http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0204.htm</ref>  

Near the start of the church service a usher who placed himself to assist members to enter the church.<ref>http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0204.htm</ref>  The church usher saw church property being destroyed and told an officer who turned away and ignored him.<ref>http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0204.htm</ref>  The rioters recognized the usher as a member of the church and surrounded him so he could not move.<ref>http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0204.htm</ref>  

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

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

got going."<ref>Christianity Today, Nov 8, 1993 v37 page 57</ref>  LaBarbera futher states that the church protest is "an immensely important event because it signals the intolerance they have for people's religious views." <ref>Christianity Today, Nov 8, 1993 v37 page 57</ref>

got going."<ref>Christianity Today, Nov 8, 1993 v37 page 57</ref>  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>Christianity Today, Nov 8, 1993 v37 page 57</ref>

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>The San Francisco Chronicle, October 28, 1993</ref>

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>The San Francisco Chronicle, October 28, 1993</ref>