Swastika painted on Temecula church after Delight occasion – NBC Los Angeles
Considerations are rising locally days after the Temecula Valley Delight celebrated their annual competition after a swastika was found on a church the place the occasion occurred.
The pastor at Temecula United Methodist Church within the Inland Empire believes the act of vandalism and theft occurred as a response to the satisfaction occasion. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Division is investigating the incident.
“Once I see a logo like this it’s a logo that may be a hate image that hits each group,” Pastor Drew Davis mentioned.
The pastor says a workers member discovered the vandalism final week and notified regulation enforcement. In addition they found one thing was lacking on their flagpole.
“We had an inclusion flag that we fly with our American flag that we fly just a few days in the course of the week. We had each the American and the inclusionary flag stolen a number of occasions in the course of the week,” the pastor mentioned.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s division says deputies had been referred to as out to the church on Oct. 27 to research the case which they are saying isn’t a hate crime.
“I don’t understand how a swastika can’t be perceived not as a hate crime. It tells the story itself,” Justin Daley, President of Temecula Valley Delight, mentioned. “Unhappiness everytime you see hate or hate indicators to the church property it’s disappointing and discouraging for the truth that our occasion was a beacon of hope for the group.”
The pastor says they are going to proceed to push ahead their mission of hope and inclusivity as they tighten safety across the space.
“To the individual that did this. They’re nonetheless cherished,” the pastor mentioned.
“Acts like this emphasize the truth that we want satisfaction occasions as a result of hate remains to be occurring till it’s eradicated, we nonetheless have work to do,” Daley mentioned.
The sheriff’s division says they’re nonetheless investigating and to this point, no arrests have been made.
The pastor says they’re taking this matter severely, and so they plan to maneuver ahead with their plan to carry a Transgender Day of Remembrance later this month.
