Lincoln United Methodist Church leaders are involved {that a} man who reportedly tried to drive his means into the church Tuesday is the newest focused assault towards the Pilsen church.
About 1:28 p.m., officers responded to reviews of a housebreaking that had simply occurred within the 2200 block of South Damen Avenue, Chicago police stated. Lincoln United Methodist Church is situated at 2242 S. Damen Ave.
Witnesses advised officers {that a} man got here to the entrance of the church and tried to get inside, police stated. The man then kicked the glass doorways, damaging them earlier than operating off in an unknown course.
The man is described as 30 to 35 years previous, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 180 kilos, police stated.
At a information convention, Rev. Emma Lozano stated she believed the person attacked the church due to a confrontation that occurred outdoors the church on Sept. 23 between members and conservative activists, which garnered consideration on-line.
“They have said I am organizing the invasion, how I hate America, how I’m not a real American or a real pastor and that I’m bringing in people that are murderers or [part of] cartels,” Lozano stated. “Those are things that put targets on our backs.”
At the information convention, Cecilia Garcia, a pupil pastor, stated she adopted the the person to an alley after he kicked the doorways.
“He said you can’t touch me, the police work for me,” Garcia stated.
She stated she was in a position to take photographs of the person in the course of the confrontation earlier than he left the realm.
Garcia stated the person was antagonizing individuals and did a nazi salute.
“If we’re being targeted, Pilsen must stand together,” Lozano stated.