While we’re sure they were just “celebrating their heritage,” someone or a group of someones burned a cross outside the predominantly African American New Hope Baptist Church in Clarksville, TN. The cross was discovered by a member of the congregation at an entrance to the church’s parking lot.
“I’d heard of this. I’ve seen it perhaps at other churches, other buildings, but not in a million years did I think this would happen to New Hope because we are a close community,” said Pastor Vernon Hooks. He worries that this could be someone’s way of sending a violent message.
Hooks said that, when the cross was discovered, the smell of the gasoline used to light the wood still lingered. The church fortunately suffered no damage, aside from a charred gate.
Hooks says he plans to leave the cross on the church property for now, and make it a lesson in this week’s sermons. “That we will keep doing God’s will, that we won’t give up, we won’t let this be a setback for us as a congregation,” Hooks said.
The state of Tennessee is rife with Klan activity–something that those affected by this horrible attack likely know all too well. Unfortunately, while Republicans claim racism is over it is alive and well–as is made obvious by the burnt cross currently lying on the church’s lawn.
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