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Hamilton Square Baptist Church Riot (view source)
Revision as of 00:46, July 12, 2007
, 00:46, July 12, 2007no edit summary
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 complete 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>
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>
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:
{{cquote|As people entered the building, demonstrators handed flyers purporting to be published by the church. These were also placed upon automobile windshields in the immediate area. By 6:00 PM a riot was under way. The rioters assumed complete control of the exterior property and grounds of the church. In spite of several requests to have them removed the officer in charge insisted that everything was under control and that police procedures and regulations would not allow him to do so.
{{cquote|[[Chuck McIlhenny|Pastor Charles and Donna McIlhenny]] were refused entry by the rioters, and told they could not enter the building. The doors were completely blocked by the rioters. Pastor McIlhenny held on to Donna as they began to make their way through the mob who were shouting and screaming in their ears, "You will not enter this church." The rioters assaulted them, pushing and shoving them, seeking to keep them from the front door. One of them grabbed Donna's body, lifting her off the ground, and attempted to pull her back away from the entry. She stretched her arms out for help from a near by police officer who offered no assistance. Her son, seeing she was in trouble, pleaded with the officers to assist her. The officers appeared so overwhelmed by the rioters that they were unable to take control of the situation. Both of her hands were scratched (the skin was broken).
[[Chuck McIlhenny|Pastor Charles and Donna McIlhenny]] were refused entry by the rioters, and told they could not enter the building. The doors were completely blocked by the rioters. Pastor McIlhenny held on to Donna as they began to make their way through the mob who were shouting and screaming in their ears, "You will not enter this church." The rioters assaulted them, pushing and shoving them, seeking to keep them from the front door. One of them grabbed Donna's body, lifting her off the ground, and attempted to pull her back away from the entry. She stretched her arms out for help from a near by police officer who offered no assistance. Her son, seeing she was in trouble, pleaded with the officers to assist her. The officers appeared so overwhelmed by the rioters that they were unable to take control of the situation. Both of her hands were scratched (the skin was broken).
Finally, the church's caretaker grabbed her outstretched arms and pulled her through to the door, out of the hands of the rioters. As they made their way past the three police officers at the door, they were pelted by rocks, which also struck the window panes of the entry doors. Several members from Pastor McIlhenny's church also were accosted and had to flee to a side entrance. There they also found the entry blocked and had to remain outside until the riot police arrived and let them in the building. Pastor McIlhenny's son, Ryan and his friend were not able to enter the building....
Finally, the church's caretaker grabbed her outstretched arms and pulled her through to the door, out of the hands of the rioters. As they made their way past the three police officers at the door, they were pelted by rocks, which also struck the window panes of the entry doors. Several members from Pastor McIlhenny's church also were accosted and had to flee to a side entrance. There they also found the entry blocked and had to remain outside until the riot police arrived and let them in the building. Pastor McIlhenny's son, Ryan and his friend were not able to enter the building....