Rainbow Flag Burning At East Bay Church Investigated As Hate Crime
CLAYTON (KCBS/AP) -- An East Bay man has been arrested on suspicion of a hate crime after a rainbow flag was burned at a Clayton church.
The flag was burned at the Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church. Church officials believe this was the latest act of recent vandalism surrounding the flag.
Parishioner Dale Scovill said the flag had been taken down by someone eight times in the past six months, including three times this week.
On Tuesday, the flag was taken down and burned. Police later arrested Concord resident John James Hurst on suspicion of a hate crime, two counts of arson, petty theft and vandalism.
Pastor Barbara Barkley says a note written in Spanish and left nearby said "all evil will be eradicated."
"The implication is that the LGBTQ people are evil, and that they will be wiped out. I was scared," Pastor Barbara Barkley told KPIX 5.
It was not immediately known if Hurst has an attorney.
Pastor Barkley said the crime won't change their thinking at the church.
"We're going to approach even people who do that kind of thing with love, compassion, forgiveness, and reconciliation," Barkley said.