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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 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

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 stated that things were completely under control and that police regulations and procedures prevented him from removing the rioters.<ref name = "baptistpillar"/>   

Near the start of the church service a 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 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"/>  

[[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 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 are disputed. Noah Griffin, a spokesperson

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

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 name = "ctoday"/> 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

== 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 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 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 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 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"/>