Overview
- The Big Red Church’s rainbow-painted Pride doors were knocked down, smashed and vandalized early on Sunday, and parishioners discovered the damage before services began.
- Pastor Rev. Simon Biasell said a staff member called him at about 6:06 a.m. to report the outdoor installation had been toppled and broken.
- Neighbors reinstalled the colorful doors before Sunday services ended, restoring the display and drawing on local support in the Tower District.
- The Fresno Police Department told local outlets the incident is not being investigated as a hate crime at this time.
- The church, an Open & Affirming congregation for more than 30 years that runs addiction support and Head Start programs, said the vandalism is disheartening but will not change its mission, and the attack follows years of homophobic messages received by the congregation.