Dozens of protesters gathered outside New Hope Community Church in Palatine, Illinois, on Friday after the church displayed anti-Pride messages on an electronic sign outside its building.
The messages included, “Ditch Pride, embrace humility,” and “We love you enough to tell you the truth.” According to ABC 7 Chicago, demonstrators said they were especially concerned because the church is located across the street from a school, where children could be exposed to the messages. Paul Dombrowski of the Northwest Suburban Pride Network said, “Our goal was to let other residents of Palatine know what this Church preaches and that Palatine is better than that.” Pastor James Pittman Jr. said he has no plans to remove the signs. “That gives us the chance to share God’s truth…I wish they’d come every day so we could have conversations.”
The protest comes as local LGBTQ+ advocates continue urging village leaders to fly a Pride flag outside City Hall. Mayor Jim Schwantz has opposed the request, saying the Pride flag is political and that the American, Illinois, Palatine, and POW flags are the village’s most inclusive symbols.
