St. John’s Church Attacked Again; Rioters Vandalize It “Black House Autonomous Zone”
On Monday evening, the St. John’s Episcopal Church was once again attacked by rioters and vandals, spray painting the pillars of the church with the letters “B-H-A-Z” for “Black House Autonomous Zone.” These activists have first created an “autonomous zone” in Seattle and named it “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone” or “CHAZ,” but they changed it into “Capitol Hill Occupied Protest” or “CHOP.”
The historic church, a block away from the White House, has been the target of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement once again and was vandalized. Earlier this month, the church was set ablaze by the protesters of the same movement.
Videos circulated on social media, showing protesters gathering outside the church.
Not entirely sure but this cop was taken off the line after apparently getting injured. Seems like he got hit by a chair (not positive): pic.twitter.com/tbVsUSwd87
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) June 23, 2020
Standoff in front of the White House/next to the church (the church has been vandalized and reads BHAZ, the symbols of the autonomous zone they tried to create) pic.twitter.com/CQWFfNPEFH
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) June 23, 2020
St. John’s Church has been vandalized with spray paint reading BHAZ (Black House Autonomous Zone) pic.twitter.com/8D7UITVTK0
— Richie🎥McG🍿 (@RichieMcGinniss) June 23, 2020
Black House Autonomous Zone — Now spraypainted on the columns of St John’s Church here in BLM Plaza / Lafayette Square #BlackLivesMatter @WUSA9 pic.twitter.com/kedeyLiY8e
— Mike Valerio (@MikevWUSA) June 23, 2020
Every United States president since James Madison has attended services at St. John’s Episcopal Church. However, despite being receptive to protesters in recent weeks, activists still decided to deface the establishment.
President Trump warned vandals, saying that numerous people are being arrested in DC for disgraceful vandalism and that vandals could face 10 years of prison time under the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act.
Numerous people arrested in D.C. for the disgraceful vandalism, in Lafayette Park, of the magnificent Statue of Andrew Jackson, in addition to the exterior defacing of St. John’s Church across the street. 10 years in prison under the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act. Beware!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020
On May 31, BLM protesters set St. John’s basement on fire. Then, the next day, Trump addressed the nation, saying that he would act swiftly to end the violence and looting caused by the protests across the country. After his speech in the White House, the president walked across Lafayette Park and stood outside St. John’s, holding up a Bible.