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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 are disputed. Noah Griffin, a spokesperson

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]]:  

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.}}  

[[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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref>

The day of the riot was the day Reverend [[Louis Sheldon]], of the [[Traditional Values Coalition]], was a guest speaker.<ref>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref>

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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref>  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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref> 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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref>  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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref> 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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref><ref name = "ctoday"> 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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref>

<ref>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref><ref name = "ctoday"/> 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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref>

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>Christianity Today, Nov 8, 1993 v37 page 57</ref> 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>Christianity Today, Nov 8, 1993 v37 page 57</ref> Pastor Innes countered though by citing a letter written by a 25 year veteran

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 police force which was published in a September 30, 1993 edition

of the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper. <ref>Christianity Today, Nov 8, 1993 v37 page 57</ref> In police officers letter, the officer describes a

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

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

Fair. <ref>Christianity Today, Nov 8, 1993 v37 page 57</ref> 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>Christianity Today, Nov 8, 1993 v37 page 57</ref> The officer described seeing totally naked male couples publically engaging in lewd sex.<ref>Christianity Today, Nov 8, 1993 v37 page 57</ref> The officer in his letter stated that he was "highly embarrassed" when people asked him he was not making any arrests. <ref>Christianity Today, Nov 8, 1993 v37 page 57</ref> 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>Christianity Today, Nov 8, 1993 v37 page 57</ref>

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 publically 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>Christianity Today, Nov 8, 1993 v37 page 57</ref>}}

{{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

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 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>

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>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>