‘No on 8’ supporters target Mormon church

Derek Fleming

High emotion over Proposition 8 has turned from protest in the streets to vandalism of places of worship. On Friday, opponents of Prop 8 spray painted ‘No on 8’ on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints church in Orangevale. The church supports the constitutional banning of same-sex marriage.

A member of the church said in an interview with CBS 13, “We don’t understand why we were singled out, we are one of many churches that were in favor of Proposition 8.”

Logan Jackson, a member of the church, said he has also seen vandalism near his home.

“They don’t have the right to vandalize,” Jackson said in an interview with CBS.

The vandalism occurred in broad daylight on a busy street. ‘No on 8’ was sprayed on the sign as well as on sidewalks leading around the church in bright red spray paint. The word ‘Hypocrites’ was also sprayed on the property. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department does not have any suspects in the matter.

Lisa West, regional church spokesperson said in a press release, “We hope that now and in the future all parties involved in this issue will act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility toward those with differing opinions.” “It is evident that the election results for the constitutional marriage amendment will not mean the end to the debate over same-sex marriage in the state or in the country,” West said.

Kate Kendall, executive director of the National Center for Gay and Lesbian Rights, in an interview with Mormonlawyer.com, said it was “very disappointing what the church has done and the alliances it has made with churches that do not even like them and have called them a cult.”

Knights of Columbus, a Catholic organization, as well as many other churches, raised millions in support of Proposition 8, but has not faced the same backlash as the Mormon church.

Derek Fleming can be reached at [email protected]