Hundreds of people turned out in force to protest against the anti-gay beliefs of the Verity Baptist Church in Sacramento. Pastor Jimenez of Verity Baptist Church posted a recording of his sermon on Sunday, June 12, 2016, stating that Christians should not mourn over the deaths of 49 people killed in a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, earlier that morning. He went on to preach that it was God’s intention that gays should be put to death. He also mentioned that the shooter didn’t finish the job by not killing all the people in the gay nightclub.
Verity Baptist Church protest of anti-gay beliefs
In response to such inflammatory and repugnant beliefs, John Hayden and Beverly Kearney began organizing a protest/rally at the Verity Baptist Church during the Sunday service on June 19th. People throughout Northern California came to the rally with home made signs of support for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community. There were people from all walks of life and some that were in wheelchairs. There were mothers, grandmothers, children, and just a variety of people who understand that God never meant for us to kill anyone.
Pastor Jimenez discusses anti-gay comments with television reporter
Also present was a large force of Sacramento Sheriff Deputies to keep the peace. They helped escort the parishioners into the church and then back to their cars after the service was done. The California Highway Patrol was stationed on the streets to keep traffic flowing. All the different law enforcement agencies did a wonderful job of respecting everyone’s right to peaceful protest and assembly. Below is a picture gallery of the variety of people and signs of support for gay rights and signs of protest against pastor Jimenez’s warped sense of Christian religion that he preaches at his church. Recordings of the events will be posted soon.
Picture Gallery of Verity Baptist Church protest
Video Recording of Verity Baptist Church protest
