Church allegedly vandalized with Molotov cocktails ahead of hosting drag queen story hour



A church was vandalized with Molotov cocktails Friday ahead of the church hosting a drag brunch and story hour, WJW reported.

"Despite the minimal damage, the church is taking extraordinary security precautions ahead of the planned protest scheduled for April 1 and services will resume as scheduled," a person representing Ohio's Community Church of Chesterland said in a statement acquired by WJW.

Controversy over the planned show erupted after a Chardon, Ohio restaurant called Element 41 partnered with the church to hold the drag brunch, WKYC reported.

"They’re calling us pedophiles and it’s getting really crazy where I have to turn my phone off at night," Element 41 owner Paul Mendolera previously told the outlet.

"It's taking it to the next level where we're having people saying that they're coming to protest, hundred people strong with concealed carry permits, and they want to save the children."

Proud Boys circulated notices encouraging people to protest the event, Cleveland.com reported Friday.

Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand told the outlet that they would "need a lot of personnel" to cover the event, since it is in two different locations. He added that local law enforcement agencies have been working on security plans.

According to the church's calendar, the Drag Brunch will still be held April 1 at Element 41 in Chardon, Ohio starting at 10 a.m. The Drag Story Hour event, also on April 1, will be held at 4 p.m. at the church.

The church posted an announcement on its Facebook page Sunday afternoon. The re-posted message from Rev. Jess Peacock, the church's minister, included photographs of the damage.

The photos show what appears to be a charred metal panel with signage for the church's preschool, a charred sign in 3 languages that appears to be vinyl affixed to plywood, and a destroyed roadside sign with only the support pillars remaining along with small bits of the sign itself.

Peacock, who noted that he removed a post about the damage from Saturday, called the action a "hate crime."

He noted that their sign was destroyed, outdoor light fixtures were broken, and Molotov cocktails were thrown at the church, which houses a preschool.

Peacock said the church was fortunate that the vandalism occurred while it was raining, "which probably prevented the fire from catching."

"Small mercies," Peacock added.

TheBlaze's requests for comment from the Geauga County Sheriff's Office and Chester Township Police Department were not returned in time for publication.


Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Police Arrest Man With Molotov Cocktails Near US Capitol

The Nations Capital

Portland rioter jailed for throwing Molotov cocktails at police, handing out bats to other protesters. Three months earlier, he was preaching peace in Indiana.



A rioter who threw multiple Molotov cocktails at police in Portland, Oregon, during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests has pleaded guilty to his crimes and has been sentenced to ten years behind bars.

What are the details?

Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced the news in a press release Tuesday, reporting that 25-year-old Malik Muhammed of Indianapolis, Indiana, pleaded guilty to a whopping 14 felony charges — including attempted murder, assault, riot, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful manufacture of a destructive device.

The news certainly signifies a welcome change of course from Schmidt, who has been the subject of harsh criticism from Portland law enforcement over his abject refusal to prosecute rioters.

In the release, Schmidt included several photos and videos of some of Muhammed's violent acts, including one prominent act in which the rioter heaved a Molotov cocktail at police, only for it to fall short and "engulf a fellow protester in flames, causing severe injuries to that person’s legs."

Video of that particular incident was uploaded to social media and quickly spread online.

An update on this infamous 2020 scene from Portland in which a Molotov cocktail set this protester's feet on fire:\n\nTonight, prosecutors say Malik Muhammed is getting 10 years in prison, accused of throwing that Molotov and others at police.pic.twitter.com/hLZgN1jD3y
— Mike Baker (@Mike Baker) 1648599887

During that same incident, which took place outside the East Portland Police Precinct Building on Sept. 5, Muhammed was seen distributing baseball bats to other rioters.

What else?

The district attorney claimed that Muhammed traveled to Portland in the summer of 2020 with the intent to commit violence in the community and added that Muhammed's criminal activity "spanned September and October of 2020 and included four separate criminal incidents."

In separate incidents a few weeks later, on Sept. 21 and Sept. 23, Muhammed attended planned protests at the Multnomah County sheriff’s office and Multnomah County Justice Center, during which he threw Molotov cocktails at police officers.

During the first protest, Muhammed's Molotov cocktail failed to explode and was recovered as evidence. But during the second protest, the explosive device went off, narrowly missing multiple officers. It did, however, catch the clothing of one of the officers on fire.

In the last documented incident, which took place on Oct. 11 at Directors Park in downtown Portland, "Muhammed used a baton to smash the windows of the Oregon Historical Society, Portland State University, and multiple other businesses in the downtown Portland area," Schmidt said.

Police also recovered a loaded firearm on Muhammed's person that night.

In addition to the prison time, Muhammed was also ordered to pay $200,000 in restitution.

Anything else?

The Indianapolis Star reported that just three months prior to his criminal activity, Muhammed "emerged as an emblem of peace" in his home city amid protests over the police killing of George Floyd.

He was reportedly spotted at a June 1, 2020, demonstration "marching alongside law enforcement" and facilitating "hugs between protesters and police."

"Three months later, Muhammed was in Portland, Oregon, where he attacked law enforcement with Molotov cocktails and gave baseball bats to rioters," the outlet then said.

It was not immediately clear what led to Muhammed's change in tactics.

Malik Muhammad found guilty on 14 counts www.youtube.com

Brussels Firefighters to Get Optional Police Escorts After Series of Attacks

Firefighters in areas of the Belgian capital of Brussels can request police escorts after a series of serious attacks involving rocks and Molotov cocktails.

Portland protester catches on fire after rioters throw Molotov cocktails and launch fireworks at police



Saturday marked the 100th consecutive day of protests in Portland, but things escalated into violence, and police declared a riot after agitators threw Molotov cocktails and launched fireworks at law enforcement officers.

Hundreds of people gathered at Ventura Park in southeast Portland on around 7 p.m. on Saturday, including many dressed in all black clothing. Some of them donned helmets, gas masks, body armor, and a few were equipped with large shields.

Around 9 p.m., the crowd marched towards the east precinct, but Portland police stopped the procession. Police said the rioters then engaged in "tumultuous and violent conduct."

Earliest I’ve ever seen it declared a riot. Teargas and fireworks already in full force, and this was just shortly… https://t.co/PvvXFSkqOA
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager)1599370321.0

At about 9:15 p.m., rioters began throwing fire bombs, shooting illegal fireworks, mortars, and hurling rocks at police officers. One rioter had a "wrist-rocket" type of slingshot. A Portland police sergeant was "struck by a commercial grade firework, which burned through his glove and injured his hand," according to the Portland Police Bureau. Portland police responded with crowd control munitions, including tear gas and impact weapons.

It’s like a war zone in the residential area of SE Portland where antifa are rioting tonight. #PortlandRiots https://t.co/UkgoL4pRPB
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1599367152.0

One of the Molotov cocktails landed in front of the officers and ignited a large fire. A protester caught on fire from the inferno and frantically attempted to put out the flame by running around the street. Police say the Portland fire and rescue medics offered treatment to the man who caught on fire. "The injured person was later taken to a hospital by private vehicle," authorities said.

(Content Warning: The following videos contain graphic content):

Fire bombs were thrown at officers, injuring at least one community member. Police are trying to restore peace and… https://t.co/KDQTqEfmWE
— Portland Police (@Portland Police)1599369713.0
A man just got lit on fire. Chaotic night in Portland already #PortlandRiots #Portland https://t.co/iWOP0is6MQ
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager)1599369485.0
Graphic: #Antifa rioters throw a Molotov cocktail in direction of police in SE Portland. It lands next to people, s… https://t.co/mwLezqtskw
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1599367283.0

Oregon state police troopers were also patrolling Portland on Saturday night. Last week, Oregon state police troopers were deputized by U.S. Marshals. The deputization lasts a year.

The state troopers will work alongside Portland police as well as "protect and defend federal government buildings and personnel during a civil disturbance" when necessary, Kevin Sonoff, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, said.

That means that an Oregon state police trooper can arrest someone for a federal crime and then turn the case over to a federal prosecutor instead of a state prosecutor.

This is a significant development since Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Shmidt announced last month that his office would not prosecute certain crimes during the ongoing protests. Included in those crimes that his office refused to prosecute is interfering with a peace officer or parole and probation officer, disorderly conduct in the second degree, criminal trespass in the first and second degree, escape in the third degree, harassment, and riot (unless accompanied by a charge outside of this list).

Oregon State Troopers are also out for the face-offs on Night 100 of the Portland Protests #Portland #PortlandRiots… https://t.co/BkEKpzzWjT
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager)1599383802.0

Rioters lit dumpsters, garbage cans, and wooden pallets on fire in the streets. Portland police said that over 50 people were arrested during Saturday's civil unrest.

Police sprint in and make arrests of antifa rioters on the street in SE Portland. #PortlandRiots https://t.co/rEj8TbD1RW
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1599372788.0

Saturday's riot came a day after the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office unsealed court documents that give new insights into last weekend's lethal shooting in Portland. The unsealed documents show that self-described Antifa member, Michael Forest Reinoehl, targeted Patriot Prayer members Aaron "Jay" Danielson and Chandler Pappas. Danielson was shot dead on Aug. 29.

A crowd of about 200 held a vigil for Danielson on Saturday near Portland, where Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson called for members not to seek revenge for Danielson's death.

"I know that Jay would not want that," Gibson said. "Jay wants us to stand up for what we believe in, and he does not want any more violence, guys. He does not want any more violence."

Gibson also called for Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler (D) and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) to apologize to Danielson's family. Gibson said Wheeler enabled "a culture of lawlessness" that he claimed resulted in the death of Danielson.

The speaker tells the group not to commit any acts of violence going forward @fox12oregon https://t.co/VhXHSZct4n
— Bridget Chavez (@Bridget Chavez)1599348891.0
The group is now calling for @tedwheeler and @OregonGovBrown to apologize to the family of Danielson. @fox12oregon https://t.co/aalJ07o9HZ
— Bridget Chavez (@Bridget Chavez)1599350922.0