Several speakers, including the Rev. Dr. Shaleda Mirra, pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in west Ocala, stood side by side on May 20 to speak out against what they described as racist, vile and divisive words left at the church just days after a devastating fire.
Gathered near the front of the church, where a large board stood, Jerone Gamble, president of the Marion County NAACP, told the audience the words found inside and outside the church were a disgrace to the community.
Calling the fire a tragedy, Gamble said the hatred displayed against the church and the community is profound. To west Ocala, he said it serves as a warning that someone could enter the community and the church in the middle of the night to spread hate.
He said the community needs to be on alert and for law enforcement officials to increase their presence. He added that Black churches in every community need to band together and ensure those responsible are brought to justice, tried, convicted and jailed.
What brought them there
The pain began the night of May 16 with a fire that gutted parts of the historic church at 718 NW Seventh St. Fire officials believe the blaze, which left the newer wing safe but the older section heavily damaged, was electrical and accidental. No one was injured.
Then, on May 19, church leaders were escorting Ocala Fire Rescue officials as they continued their investigation when they discovered hateful words on boards both inside and outside the church.
Some examples included the words “Peckerwood Wellick,” and, on a chalkboard, the word “Wellick” beneath an image of a face with what appeared to be two horns and two Xs for eyes.
The Rev. Mikel James of Mount Tabor AME Church led the group in a prayer, followed by a scripture reading from the Rev. Dr. Marcia Owens. Elder Valarie J. Walker delivered Episcopal district greetings, saying they stand with a united voice with the church.
Walker said incidents like the May 19 discovery continue to take America backward instead of forward. Hate, she said, is destructive, evil and wicked, but love replaces hate and God is love.
Marion pastors speak
At the podium, Mirra said her heart is heavy as their sacred space has been touched by evil. Despite the sadness, she said racism, sexism and other forms of division will not, and should not, be tolerated.
The church is a legacy, and these forms of bigotry will not define or defeat them, Mirra said. She called it a moral issue and said they must stand against hate and respond with love.
She said they will rebuild and rise to the occasion and are working closely with the Ocala Police Department, which is leading the investigation.
Police officers were on scene at Thursday’s press conference.
School Board member the Rev. Eric Cummings said he stands with the congregation of St. Paul A.M.E. Church. He said he feels their pain and wants them to know they are not alone. He called the actions hateful, unacceptable and unwelcome in Tucker Hill, where the church is located.
A moment of silence was observed for the ancestors, followed by a closing prayer from Rev. Jeffrey Dove.
— Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Marion leaders decry hateful vandalism found at St. Paul A.M.E. Church
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
