Few supporters show up for Grisham rally

Sunday, 08 May 2011 20:55 |

A large turnout of representatives of Amarillo Citizens Against Repent Amarillo showed up at Sam Houston Park Sunday, May 8, 2011, to counter-protest a rally by mayoral candidate David Grisham, who heads Repent Amarillo - Photo by Ralph Duke

By George Schwarz

The Amarillo Independent

No more than a handful of supporters for Repent Amarillo’s David Grisham grace Sam Houston park Sunday for a mayoral rally that included speeches by Wayne Sapp and the Quran-burning church leader from Florida, Terry Jones.

Dove World Outreach Center pastor Terry Jones, famous for burning the Quran, speaks at Sam Houston Park Sunday, May 8, 2011, at a rally supporting David Grisham for mayor - Photo by Ralph Duke

But far outnumbering Grisham and his flock were representatives of Amarillo Citizens Against Repent Amarillo, the Amarillo Police Department and the local media.

Earlier, Raven Ministries pastor Todd Bohn, a longtime Grisham friend, praised Grisham's work with the homeless.“I’ve seen David Grisham do all of this stuff,” Bohn said. “… (S)o I know that he has a heart for the people in Amarillo. I know that a lot of people say things about him that are absolutely not true.”

Jones and Sapp, who are both part of Dove World Outreach Center, lashed out at homosexuality, abortion and Islam, with Sapp denouncing other Christian pastors for not advocating the same messages they propound, with Sapp calling them “cowards.”

After Sapp’s hellfire and brimstone speech, Grisham paraphrased Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address,” substituting Christian references (here).

Jones continued with another anti-gay, anti-abortion rant that climaxed with a broad condemnation of Islam and Muslims.

And while the opposing sides were kept well apart, the shouts rejecting the messages of Grisham, Sapp and Jones could be hear loud and clear.

Jeff Blackburn, who counseled Amarillo Citizens Against Repent Amarillo, stands with the group Sunday during a rally at Sam Houston Park - Photo by Megan Smith

Jones, in a separate interview (click here to see video), said he would speak out against homosexuality, abortion and Shariah. He also criticized President Barack Obama, saying Obama was too supportive of Islam.

"So, we do definitely feel that he is a very negative element in our society," Jones said during his interview.

But during his speech, he was harsher, calling the government the enemy of the people.

Here is Jones' full speech:

Comments

+2 # Kool-Aid Lady — Beth Owen 2011-05-09 00:08

Who was the one person allowed to shout at this rally? The rest of us (who Jones and David Grisham did not pay) had to stand over 100 feet away behind a barrier separating all of the vacant space and us.. the people who actually showed up. Jones actually made this footage look like they had people there to hear their hate. Fact is that there were many, many locals (not on Jone's payroll) actual citizens from Amarillo. who respected the huge territory DG and TJ reserved.. gotta wonder if they really expected people to show up and support them.. seriously, most of the park was reserved and off-limits to the local citizens. Pretty sure the shouters are not even locals. The citizens against these loonies were behind the proscribed lines and we oppose the Grish and his hate. We really just hope Terry Jones will just take David Grisham and the Grishites with him... anywhere but here. JONES GO HOME. TAKE GRISHAM WITH YOU!

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+2 # willis4play — willis4play 2011-05-09 00:45

Jones Go Home, Take Grisham With You!

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-1 # ChurchLady — Tonya 2011-05-09 19:30

I concur....Please...Please...Take him with you!

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-2 # none — Bob 2012-08-19 20:39

3 People WOW George Schwarz SUCKS!!!
The People have found you out you Communist Left wing
Christian Hater. You know how to tell if George Schwarz is lying? He opens his mouth or uses a pen.

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+3 # Your comment — Michael Turner 2012-09-05 12:19

Quoting Bob:

3 People WOW George Schwarz SUCKS!!!
The People have found you out you Communist Left wing
Christian Hater. You know how to tell if George Schwarz is lying? He opens his mouth or uses a pen.

Bob why would you suggest such radical ideas?
Perhaps his intelligent and fresh approach is difficult for someone of your intellectual level to comprehend?

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-1 # guilty of being white — justaguy 2012-09-14 18:08

Bob, you are absolutely right. But at least "The Shwarz" came up with an original story that doesn't involve running the AGN down. I understand that is incredibly hard for "The Shwarz" to come up with anything on his own. If not for the Texas Tribune "The Shwarz" would have nothing. Seems to me like "The Shart" should move to San Fran

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0 # Are you Bob's cousin — Michael Turner 2012-09-19 13:58

Quoting justaguy:

Bob, you are absolutely right. But at least "The Shwarz" came up with an original story that doesn't involve running the AGN down. I understand that is incredibly hard for "The Shwarz" to come up with anything on his own. If not for the Texas Tribune "The Shwarz" would have nothing. Seems to me like "The Shart" should move to San Fran

We the lack of intellect displayed, I just wonder if you and Bob are Cousin's?

Go back to the barn.

Regards,

Michael

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0 # Typo — Michael Turner 2012-09-19 14:07

Auto correct...oh no.
My posting should have said..
With the lack of intellect displayed, I just wonder if you and Bob are Cousin's?

Go back to the barn.

Regards,

Michael

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