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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 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"/>  

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 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

San Francisco Police Captain Rich Cairnes stated said he was dismayed when he saw the videotape and stated the following:

San Francisco Police Captain Rich Cairnes stated said he was dismayed when he saw the videotape and stated the following:

{{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 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. 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"/>

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"/>  

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 name = "SFChronOct28"/>

A October 28, 1993 San Francisco Chronicle article titled, "S.F. Police to Seek Charges in Sept. 19 Church Protest by Gays" states the following regarding Police Inspector Robert O'Sullivan:

A October 28, 1993 San Francisco Chronicle article titled, "S.F. Police to Seek Charges in Sept. 19 Church Protest by Gays" states the following regarding Police Inspector Robert O'Sullivan:

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.  

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 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"/>  

<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>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 a 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 a another event like the riot would not be permitted.<ref name = "hamsquarenov1993"/> However,  

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|We planned a “Pastor’s Freedom Rally” for early November, and invited hundreds of Christian leaders to come to our city and take a stand for righteousness. This church hosted approximately 400 pastors and Christian leaders, who joined us to hold high the cause of Christ, and make a statement to the City of San Francisco, that truth, freedom to worship, and the cause of Christ, was alive and well. We marched from the church to City Hall. This time we had complete police protection. As we approached the steps of City Hall, the protestors parted like the Red Sea! As we waited outside the chambers of the Board of Supervisors, a protestor began to sing a sad, mournful song. His performance didn’t last long as 400 men lifted the rotunda off the building by singing in unison – Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me . . .<ref>http://www.hamiltonsquare.net/articlesRiots_Barko_Account.htm</ref>}}

{{cquote|We planned a “Pastor’s Freedom Rally” for early November, and invited hundreds of Christian leaders to come to our city and take a stand for righteousness. This church hosted approximately 400 pastors and Christian leaders, who joined us to hold high the cause of Christ, and make a statement to the City of San Francisco, that truth, freedom to worship, and the cause of Christ, was alive and well. We marched from the church to City Hall. This time we had complete police protection. As we approached the steps of City Hall, the protestors parted like the Red Sea! As we waited outside the chambers of the Board of Supervisors, a protestor began to sing a sad, mournful song. His performance didn’t last long as 400 men lifted the rotunda off the building by singing in unison – Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me . . .<ref name = hamsquarebarko"/>}}

After the riot, a meeting was held in the chambers of the Board of Supervisors. Local television news cameras and the Christian Broadcasting Network recorded the meeting.<ref>The San Francisco Chronicle, November 9, 1993</ref>   

After the riot, a meeting was held in the chambers of the Board of Supervisors. Local television news cameras and the Christian Broadcasting Network recorded the meeting.<ref>The San Francisco Chronicle, November 9, 1993</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"/>}}

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 name = "lasvegas"/>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>

At the Board of Supervisors meeting it appears as if some arrests took place.  The San Francisco Chronicle states the following:  

At the Board of Supervisors meeting it appears as if some arrests took place.  The San Francisco Chronicle states the following:  

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"/>}}

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 name = "SFChronOct28"/>

==External Link ==

==External Link ==