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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, harassed and scared children, and disrupted a church service.<ref name = "ctoday">[[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 name = "ctoday">[[Christianity Today]], November 8, 1993, v37, page 57</ref><ref name = "hamsquaresep1993">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 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

{{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>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>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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</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"/>

[[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 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>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 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>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 name = "hamsquaresep1993"/><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 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

== Post Riot Public and Press Reaction ==

== Post Riot Public and Press Reaction ==

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>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 a 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 a audio tape of the rioters seeking to break down the church doors was played in thousands of churches.  

<ref>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsNov1993.htm</ref> 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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsNov1993.htm</ref>  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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiots_Barko_Account.htm</ref>  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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsNov1993.htm</ref>  

<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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiots_Barko_Account.htm</ref>  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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsNov1993.htm</ref> In addition, after the riot Christian groups threatened to boycott San Francisco.<ref>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>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 a another event like the riot would not be permitted.<ref>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsNov1993.htm</ref> 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 a 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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsNov1993.htm</ref>  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>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsNov1993.htm</ref> The Freedom Rally brought 400 plus pastors and laymen from across the United States and represented over sixty thousand churches.<ref>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsNov1993.htm</ref> According to Pastor Innes police protection was superb during the Freedom Rally.<ref>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsNov1993.htm</ref> The  major newspapers and news networks covered the Freedom Rally and according to Pastor Innes most of the coverage was favorable. <ref>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsNov1993.htm</ref>  

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:  

{{cquote|Soon after three o'clock in the afternoon, time was given to speak to the issue of the riot at the church. Speakers alternated, pro and con. When Dr. Lou Sheldon stood at the podium to speak, a major confrontation broke out. The homosexuals and lesbians attempted to deny Dr. Sheldon his right to speak. It was only after several minutes and a threat to clear the chambers that he was able to address the Supervisors. After he spoke, he was assaulted by a man in the front row who spat on him. Eight or ten police officers swiftly entered the chambers, dragged the man out of the room and arrested him.  

{{cquote|Soon after three o'clock in the afternoon, time was given to speak to the issue of the riot at the church. Speakers alternated, pro and con. When Dr. Lou Sheldon stood at the podium to speak, a major confrontation broke out. The homosexuals and lesbians attempted to deny Dr. Sheldon his right to speak. It was only after several minutes and a threat to clear the chambers that he was able to address the Supervisors. After he spoke, he was assaulted by a man in the front row who spat on him. Eight or ten police officers swiftly entered the chambers, dragged the man out of the room and arrested him.  

Shortly thereafter, the pastor of the Hamilton Square Baptist Church, Dr. David C. Innes was intentionally denied his turn to present his complaint to the Supervisors. Supervisor Terrance Hallinan, the one who has described the churches' moral teachings as "an abomination", made a parliamentary move on behalf of Supervisor Migden that cut off discussion of the matter. (Dr. Innes was going to give the homosexual flag back to Supervisor Migden, a gesture that would have been extremely embarrassing to her) [a homosexual flag had been run up the church flag pole during the riot and removed by a church employee.  The homosexual flag was run up the flag pole again during the riot and when a church employee tried to remove it he was assaulted and pushed back].<ref>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsNov1993.htm</ref><ref>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsSep1993.htm</ref>}}

Shortly thereafter, the pastor of the Hamilton Square Baptist Church, Dr. David C. Innes was intentionally denied his turn to present his complaint to the Supervisors. Supervisor Terrance Hallinan, the one who has described the churches' moral teachings as "an abomination", made a parliamentary move on behalf of Supervisor Migden that cut off discussion of the matter. (Dr. Innes was going to give the homosexual flag back to Supervisor Migden, a gesture that would have been extremely embarrassing to her) [a homosexual flag had been run up the church flag pole during the riot and removed by a church employee.  The homosexual flag was run up the flag pole again during the riot and when a church employee tried to remove it he was assaulted and pushed back].<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/><ref name = "hamsquaresep1993"/>}}

In addition, Carl Herbster, Pastor of Tri-City Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri, stated at the Board of Supervisors meeting: "Your city is known worldwide now as a city that is not willing to protect religious freedom." <ref>The Las Vegas Review-Journal, November 9, 1993</ref>Herbster also told the Board of supervisors that in regards to San Francisco "major corporations are considering canceling their reservations for conventions because of what took place."<ref>San Francisco Chronicle, November 9, 1993</ref>

In addition, Carl Herbster, Pastor of Tri-City Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri, stated at the Board of Supervisors meeting: "Your city is known worldwide now as a city that is not willing to protect religious freedom." <ref>The Las Vegas Review-Journal, November 9, 1993</ref>Herbster also told the Board of supervisors that in regards to San Francisco "major corporations are considering canceling their reservations for conventions because of what took place."<ref>San Francisco Chronicle, November 9, 1993</ref>

{{cquote|On Sunday night, November 21, Dr. Lou Sheldon was invited back to speak along with Mr. John Paulk, a homosexual who has been gloriously saved by the grace and power of God...

{{cquote|On Sunday night, November 21, Dr. Lou Sheldon was invited back to speak along with Mr. John Paulk, a homosexual who has been gloriously saved by the grace and power of God...

The victory was sweet. The police had sent the homosexual-lesbian activists the message that they would not tolerate further violence against the churches of the city, and the leaders of the homosexual community put the protestors on notice that they were not to further the public relations disaster that began with the riot. Furthermore, because of the thousands of phone calls and letters to the Board of Supervisors and because of the impact of the Freedom Rally, the supervisors were not able to come to the rescue of the radicals as they normally would have.<ref>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiotsNov1993.htm</ref>}}

The victory was sweet. The police had sent the homosexual-lesbian activists the message that they would not tolerate further violence against the churches of the city, and the leaders of the homosexual community put the protestors on notice that they were not to further the public relations disaster that began with the riot. Furthermore, because of the thousands of phone calls and letters to the Board of Supervisors and because of the impact of the Freedom Rally, the supervisors were not able to come to the rescue of the radicals as they normally would have.<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/>}}

In October of 1993 Innis turned over to San Francisco police a recording of a telephone message he received that month in which an anonymous caller threatened to toss "jars filled with gasoline" through the windows of his church if he filed suit against one of the gay newspapers that publicized the guest appearance of Louis Sheldon on September 19, 1993.<ref>The San Francisco Chronicle, October 28, 1993</ref>

In October of 1993 Innis turned over to San Francisco police a recording of a telephone message he received that month in which an anonymous caller threatened to toss "jars filled with gasoline" through the windows of his church if he filed suit against one of the gay newspapers that publicized the guest appearance of Louis Sheldon on September 19, 1993.<ref>The San Francisco Chronicle, October 28, 1993</ref>