Vandalism of Ferndale Church Sign Follows on Heels of Gay Pride March – Redheaded Blackbelt – Redheaded Blackbelt
Yesterday, Rev. Tyrel Bramwell of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Ferndale recited scripture while a protest over a sign posted at his church went on in front of him. [All photos and video by Mark McKenna]
Between 60 to 100 people protested yesterday in Ferndale to affirm the rights of of LGBTQ individuals after the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church posted “”Hurt by LGBTQ Culture? Healing here” earlier this week. Although the peaceful protesters chanted various slogans such as “God is love” during the march through town, this morning residents of Ferndale discovered that someone had vandalized the Church’s sign with black letters proclaiming, “Hate and Hypocrisy!!”
A vandal sprayed “Hate and hypocrisy!!” on the sign of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. The Church’s sign posted earlier, “Hurt by LGBTQ Culture? Healing here”.
Yesterday’s march through town, however, appeared peaceful. When protesters gathered at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, the pastor, Rev. Tyrel Bramwell, told them that Jesus had died on the cross for them.
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“I am the foremost among sinners,” he claimed. “And as a sinner, I want to help other sinners. As does all Christians. Brothers and sisters, we ask that you would take your heart and take the hate out of it. This is not meant to be hateful. Agitators have stirred up hate in your heart.”
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For their part, the crowd of protesters chanted, “Love is love” and “God is love.”
Below are photos from the protest.
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- People gathered yesterday in front of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church after images of a sign posted by the Church reading “Hurt By LGTBQ Culture? Healing Here” began making the rounds on social media.
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- Kaelan McCarthy, left, said he saw a post from the Scotia Lodge on social media about the demonstration and helped spread the word.
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- Skyler Jacobs, of Arcata, holds a sign asking, Have you been hurt by abusive manipulative religious organizations? We have!!!”
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- Chris Tanner lives in New York City, but often visits his mom in Ferndale. He laughs after Pastor Tyrel Bramwell of St. Mark’s Church gave him a piece of literature.
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- Ferndale resident Stephen Avis spoke to the crowd calling for all to find a common ground.
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- The crowd left the church and marched down Main Street.
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- Luna Garrard, left, carries a Trans Flag and Justin Cataldo carries an updated Pride Flag.
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- Ferndale resident Bronwyn Arnold skips past the Ivanhoe while spinning a rainbow ribbon.
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- Another sign referencing the message posted at St. Mark’s.
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- Michael Winandy, left was at the demonstration in Arcata Friday where a Pride Flag on display in a public garden was slashed and burned.
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- Lark Doolan, who is the superintendent of Peninsula Union School District and the Director of Queer Humboldt holds a sign with a message for youth members of the LGTBQ+ community.
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- The mach turned back up Main Street after reaching the intersection with he Victorian Inn and the Ivanhoe.
