Posted on 06/29/2023 5:56:33 AM PDT by Morgana
Vandals ripped pages from Bibles and hymnals, tore a cross from a wall, and caused more than $100,000 in damage in what is being considered a hate crime at a historic Black church in the capital city of Maryland.
Anne Arundel County Police Department released details of the June 9 criminal incident at Fowler United Methodist Church in Annapolis, a majority Black congregation founded in 1871. Police spokesperson Marc Limansky confirmed to The Roys Report (TRR) that police are investigating the case as a high-dollar burglary, vandalism, and hate crime.
Officers who responded to a report of burglary at the church found broken windows; a large wooden cross taken down from behind the pulpit and cracked; and “anointing oil poured into electrical (sockets)” in the church sanctuary, according to a local news report.
The perpetrator ripped out “every page from every hymnal and Bible,” said Rev. Jerome Jones, pastor at the church since summer 2021. Audio equipment cords were cut, the sound mixer damaged, and five televisions used to increase accessibility for parishioners were smashed.
Jones noted that all the destroyed and damaged resources were used to convey the Gospel message to people. “They did not want us to be able to communicate at all, to talk about Jesus Christ,” he said.
The perpetrator also ransacked Jones’ office, smashing frames holding his academic degrees and pictures of Martin Luther King, Jr., along with other prominent Black leaders.
According to Maryland law, any property damage of a religious entity is considered a hate crime.
Dozens of congregants, including the church’s Board of Trustees, participated in the clean-up effort. Subsequently, leaders of nearby Eastport United Methodist Church provided audio equipment for the Annapolis church, and other churches sent hymnals and Bibles.
A picture of Maryland Governor Wes Moore which hung at Fowler United Methodist Church was also defaced, according to reports. Moore had addressed the congregation on February 26, only weeks after he was inaugurated as the state’s first Black governor.
“I’m very troubled to learn of the vandalism that has taken place at Fowler United Methodist Church,” said Governor Moore in a statement to media. “The church is a beautiful and diverse part of the community, and our sacred spaces deserve respect and veneration.” jerome jones hate crime
Moore added that he believed Reverend Jones would “reinforce faith and spread good will in the community as worshippers continue to cope with this difficult time.”
The church has reportedly applied for a grant with the state’s newly created Protecting Against Hate Crimes Program. Eligible nonprofits and faith groups targeted for hate crimes can apply for public funds to enhance security.
Two days after the Friday break-in, church members gathered for Sunday worship service—where they said a prayer for the perpetrators, according to their pastor. “It was so hard, but it was so important because God is not the author of fear,” Jones said. “We walk in faith.”
As the investigation continues, Anne Arundel County Police Department has asked anyone with information to contact the Southern District Detective Unit at 410-222-1960.
The perpetrator sure must have had a lot of time to pull this off.
Won’t bet the house, but I’d be willing to put a $20 bill down that it was NOT a hate crime but rather a ploy to rile people up over something or other going on there where they want racism to be a factor.
and a way for the church to get new hymnals...
my money is on hoax too.
The crime is vandalism. Hate is an emotion....not a crime....and more likely than not...an anti-white designation.
“The perpetrator sure must have had a lot of time to pull this off.”
True unless the hymnals were so old the pages just fell out. Most hymnals are built solid, the tanks of books if you know what I mean.
When there is a shortage of actual racism/hate crimes, they must be created to continue the illusion racism/hate crimes are actually occurring.
I’m betting a person of color did this..
Hoax.
Probably a federal agency. Time to fire up their base.
After what the Black Looters Movement and the Georgie Floyd Disciples have done to AMERICAN statues, memorials and historic sites with their “cancel culture” bull****, those azhos shouldn’t expect any sympathy out of me. Hate crimes my ass. The destruction of America by those bastards is the hate crime being commited here.
Not a hoax per se but probably more like a robbery being covered up or kids/teenagers doing this.
Yep! It’s the summer of love! Too many REAL enemies of the USA have crossed the border unimpeded to harm and destroy America . So what better way but to start destruction to get it started! They watch the news mediapuke, outlets, and have seen how much they too have such despise for this country. They’re just continuing the destruction and death where the despicable, evil nasty, ugly, progressive liberal communist mediapukes and their leaders along with the veggie and his administration want so desperately to kill off this nation! So have at it.
Meanwhile attacks at Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers are ignored by Merrick Garland’s Department of Just-Us
Angry Trannies
It's been awhile since I've been in church but that's my recollection also.
And, a majority Black crew of vandals?
Gee I don’t know of a lot of clan activity there in Maryland. Wonder who might have done this.
If they find a white perp, this will be front and center for months. If they find anything else... down the memory hole it will go.
Sounds like fund raiser ploy to me;-)
You can bet that IF some mentally u stable transgenders did the damage that the story will be buried an,d their manifestos hidden from public view
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