CHESTERLAND, Ohio — A church in Chesterland that is planning to host "Drag Queen Story Hour" was vandalized by Molotov cocktails over the weekend.
Police were called to the Community Church of Chesterland around 1 p.m. Saturday for reported arson.
When police arrived, they found at least one incendiary device had struck the church, resulting in minor damage.
According to police, minor scorching was seen on the exterior of the church, and one of the church's signs was damaged.
The church was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 440-729-1239.
News 5 spoke to the church's pastor, Jess Peacock, who was in disbelief when he saw the damage.
"I go from anger to sadness, to disbelief to commitment. Because it's not every day that you find out that someone wants to burn down your church home," said Peacock.
Peacock said it wasn't hard for him to understand why the attacks happened because the church has been getting emails, social media messages and calls since the drag events were announced. His church isn't the only place receiving harassment. Paul Mendolera, the owner of Element 41, a restaurant hosting two drag brunches on the same day as the church's event, says the phone has been ringing off the hook. The brunches are both 18-and-up-only events.
"It makes me feel that we're we're got a target on our back, that we're doing something that is completely false," Mendolera said.
Many members of the community are showing their support for the events. Both brunches are sold out and they will still take place. The church and Element 41 have hired security for the events and are working with law enforcement.
Chester Township police are still investigating the attack; they say they are working with the City of Chardon and Geauga County Sheriff's Office to work on security measures for the April 1 event. News 5 asked police if they are investigating the incident as a hate crime. Police would not comment at the time.
The Fairmount Group, which is organizing the event, released the following statement:
"The Church has a history of supporting and hosting Drag events successfully and peacefully. However, the recent political climate around anti-trans legislation has emboldened hate groups to use inflammatory and dangerous rhetoric, which has led to violence in some cases. The recent behavior of hate groups in Wadsworth, Ohio, along with news of a protest in Geauga County hosted by groups like the Proud Boys, has prompted the Church and event organizers to take additional security measures to ensure the safety of everyone ahead of the Drag Brunch and Story Hour on April 1."
The president of the Fairmount Group, Mallory McMaster, said the safety of their guests and the safety of those who come to legally exercise their first amendment rights are important.
On Monday, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost tweeted a condemnation of the use of Molotov cocktails and offered state assistance in the investigation.
"Molotov cocktails are not part of political debate. I condemn those who firebombed this church over a drag show event, just as I condemn those who firebombed a pregnancy health center last year. It’s not protest, it’s attempted arson—a felony," Yost tweeted. "My office has no independent authority to investigate this crime, but we have offered the assistance of BCI to the Geauga County sheriff if we can help in any way."
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