Religious bigotry is alive and well in California. When Newsom used his police powers to close churches—and to sue those that stayed open, the floodgates of religious hate were opened. If the Governor could close churches, why can’t bigots?
“In a statement on Facebook, the camp said:
Person With Chain Saw Desecrates 14-Foot Cross at the Christian Catholic Retreat Center @santiagoretreatcenter in Orange County, the hate crime has been reported to @ocsheriff and is currently being investigated.
The recently dedicated cross was vandalized during the first week of Vacation Bible Camp where campers from kindergarten through eighth grade arrived every day for creative Bible learning stations, singing, games, crafts, snacks, and “saintly” skits. The camp programs this week served more than 300 staff and campers.”
Was this listed an investigated by AG Bonta as a hate crime? I doubt it—he does not support church or the freedom of religion.
Cross Found Cut Down at Christian Camp in California
JOEL B. POLLAK Breitbart, 7/4/23 https://www.breitbart.com/faith/2023/07/04/cross-found-cut-down-at-christian-camp-in-california/
A cross that had been dedicated on Father’s Day last month was found cut down last Thursday at a Christian camp in Orange County, California.
The Los Angeles Times reported:
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a possible hate crime after staff at a Christian retreat center in Silverado Canyon discovered a 14-foot cross sawed down Thursday morning, according to the department.
Deputies were dispatched to Santiago Retreat Center on Thursday afternoon and concluded that the vandalism occurred between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday, according to Sgt. Mike Woodroof.
Camp staff found the vandalized cross during the first week of Bible camp, which included more than 300 staff and campers from kindergarten through eighth grade, according to a statement from the retreat center. None of the campers was staying overnight at the camp at the time of the incident.
In a statement on Facebook, the camp said:
Person With Chain Saw Desecrates 14-Foot Cross at the Christian Catholic Retreat Center @santiagoretreatcenter in Orange County, the hate crime has been reported to @ocsheriff and is currently being investigated.
The recently dedicated cross was vandalized during the first week of Vacation Bible Camp where campers from kindergarten through eighth grade arrived every day for creative Bible learning stations, singing, games, crafts, snacks, and “saintly” skits. The camp programs this week served more than 300 staff and campers.
“We will replace the cross, of course,” said [Executive Director Mark] McElrath. “Friends of Santiago are already sending donations for a new cross—and for scholarships for children and youth who cannot afford to attend camp this summer.”
The camp is seeking to raise $12,000 to replace the cross via a GoFundMe campaign, here.
