May 22, just 11 days after going public announcement when her congregation is receiving immigrants, Title 42 expiredThe minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Douglas, Arizona, looks in horror at the majestic structure of brick and wood. burst into flames.
“When I first came here, I was totally sick to my stomach.” Pastor Peggy Christiansen Said TV news crew. Firefighters were busy putting out the fire. “I saw them destroy glass windows, and those stained glass windows are historical and part of the church’s identity.”
Fortunately, the First Presbyterian Church was empty of immigrants or others on the morning that the sanctuary and adjoining St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church were set on fire. The children and staff of the nursery between the two churches evacuatedHowever, no one was injured in the conflagration that severely damaged both churches and two adjacent buildings. Each church is over 100 years oldwas part of a vibrant faith community in this quiet town across the border from Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico.
Police, with the help of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, identified and arrested a 58-year-old local man in less than two days in connection with the crime. According to the indictment, Eric Lidener reportedly About four years ago he moved to Douglas and burned down the church. opposed To the women and gays who lead religious congregations. (The early Presbyterian Church was led by women, and the minister of St. Stephen’s Church was an openly gay man.)
Leidener was detained without bail after the June 15 hearing, where prosecutors were able to: agreement The judge ruled that the defendant exhibited a “ruthless indifference to life and property” and represented a continuing threat.
The crime is a reminder of the dark history of church burnings in the United States dating back to the pre-Civil War period.
This crime is a reminder of the dark history of church burnings in the United States. go back Until before the Civil War.Southern African-American churches targeted as railroad transit points subway and for to support emancipation of blacks. A new wave of church burnings and bombings occurred during the 1950s and his 1960s civil rights movement, most notably his 1963 civil rights movement. bombing Four black girls were murdered at 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. The Ku Klux Klan member suspected of planning the attack was never prosecuted.
In the mid-1990s, church arson incidents occurred one after another. prompt President Bill Clinton plans to create a National Task Force and Congress to toughen penalties for this crime.Headquarters investigated 670 church arson, bombings and attempted bombings between 1995 and 1998. wave Since the June 2015 racist church arson, there have been racially motivated church arson attacks. massacre Nine members of an African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Douglas attack comes amid a national backlash and a new tide of progress by gay and transgender people. effort Some churches aim to purge women in leadership roles.
public prosecutor Said Consistent with Lidenor’s account, a man driving a car was seen near the church shortly before the fire started, using the same accelerant used in the fire. Detected on his home clothes.Interview with neighbors, etc. clearly He frequently expressed the opinion that gays and women should not lead the church.Pastor of St. Stephen’s Church report Lidenor said he visited the church in 2021, took pictures of the interior, and said he would never go to a church with a gay pastor.
Considering the timing of the fires and the church’s proximity to the border, immigration also appears to be a factor. Despite relatively few immigrants passing through Douglas, both churches expressed support for immigrants and refugees and provided refuge. The cots installed in the First Presbyterian Church fell into disuse after only a few immigrants entered the country on May 11, when Title 42 restrictions expired. The immigrants were bussed to Tucson, two hours away. Tucson has shelters and support services.
Considering the timing of the fires and the church’s proximity to the border, immigration also appears to be a factor.
Nevertheless, Cochise County, where Douglas is located, is primarily a conservative military, ranching, and mining area (with the exception of the artists’ settlement of Bisbee). There is a history of attract Not just anti-immigrant vigilantes and militias, right-wing politician I am looking for a photo shoot.
One of these politicians, Republican presidential candidate and Florida governor Ron DeSantis, recently traveled to Cochise County to promote the state. anti immigration policy And call for a nationwide crackdown on illegal immigrants.
After all, the local red-blooded American man was a far greater danger to the community than any of the immigrants that politicians like DeSantis continue to denounce.
