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(New Orleans, Louisiana) An evangelical Christian
group that regularly demonstrates at LGBT events is blaming gays for hurricane
Katrina.
Repent America says that God
"destroyed" New Orleans because of Southern Decadence, the gay
festival that was to have taken place in the city over the Labor Day weekend,
and other events such as Girls Gone Wild, abortion and voodoo.
"Southern Decadence" has a history of filling the French Quarters
section of the city with drunken homosexuals engaging in sex acts in the public
streets and bars" Repent America director Michael Marcavage said in a
statement Wednesday.
"Although the loss of lives is deeply saddening, this act of God destroyed
a wicked city." Marcavage said.
"From ‘Girls Gone Wild’ to ‘Southern Decadence’, New Orleans was a
city that had its doors wide open to the public celebration of sin. May it never
be the same."
"Let us pray for those ravaged by this disaster. However, we must not
forget that the citizens of New Orleans tolerated and welcomed the wickedness in
their city for so long," Marcavage said.
"May this act of God cause us
all to think about what we tolerate in our city limits, and bring us trembling
before the throne of Almighty God," Marcavage concluded.
As 365Gay.com reported on Tuesday, organizers for
Southern Decadence have cancelled the event and are promising full ticket
refunds. (story)
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said Wednesday that
hundreds are known dead and the death toll will reach into the thousands. Some
estimates, CNN reported, indicate the final death toll in New Orleans alone may
top 10,000.
Water levels eased off slightly on Wednesday, but
most of the city remains submerged and it is believed it could be months before
the city is inhabitable.
Repent America most recently demonstrated at the
Philadelphia Phillies tribute to gay fans earlier this month. (story)
Last year 10 members of Repent America protested at Philadelphia's Outfest.
It was at that point police intervened.
Four members of Repent America, including
Marcavage, were charged with ethnic intimidation, criminal conspiracy and
inciting to riot. The charges carry sentences up to 47 years behind bars.
But, in court, a judge dismissed the charges saying the protestors were in a
public park and police had violated the group's First Amendment right to free
speech. (story)
Marcavage has been arrested, detained or cited by
police around the country since founding Repent America in 2002, including at a
demonstration against same-sex marriages in San Francisco.
©365Gay.com 2005
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