Rachel Evans
On June 24, 2020, a group of Catholics gathered to pray at the Statue of the Sainted King in St. Louis, Missouri. The statue, erected in 1906, is of France's King Louis IX, the namesake of the American city. The statue has been targeted for destruction by BLM and other radical leftists as St. Louis led the Christian world's seventh crusade against Muslim aggression. The prayer event was organized by the proprietor of a far-right conspiracy website. While there were certainly Catholics who attended this event in good faith, the group also included individuals who align themselves with hate groups such as the Proud Boys and other white nationalist ideologies. Videos and images circulated on social media show that the Catholics were attacked by BLM activists. However, the claim that the man in the green shirt was part of the Catholic contingent praying at the base of the statue is misleading.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the incident | 24 June 2020 |
| Location | Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri |
| Nature of the incident | A group of Catholics gathered to pray at the Statue of the Sainted King in St. Louis. The statue was targeted for destruction by BLM and other radical leftists. |
| Reason for the incident | The statue was of France's King Louis IX, who led the Christian world's seventh crusade against Muslim aggression. |
| People involved | Jim Hoft, Umar Lee, Father Steven Schumacher, Cathy Daniels, Connor Martin |
| Outcome | Investigations were carried out by Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner's office. |
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What You'll Learn
- Catholics and alt-right clashed with protestors in Forest Park
- BLM activists attacked Catholics praying at the statue of St. Louis
- The gathering was organised by the proprietor of a far-right conspiracy website
- The event was attended by Catholic priests and members of white nationalist groups
- The statue of King Louis IX has been targeted for destruction by BLM and other radical leftists
Catholics and alt-right clashed with protestors in Forest Park
On June 24, 2020, Jim Hoft of the conservative blog "The Gateway Pundit" called on "all Catholic and Christian men and their allies" to gather for a prayer rally at the statue of King Louis IX in Forest Park, St. Louis. Hoft's call to action was in response to petitions to remove all symbols of King Louis IX from the metropolitan area due to his historical antisemitism and Islamophobia.
In response to Hoft's call, St. Louis resident Umar Lee, a Muslim and activist, organized a "Stop Hate and Racism" gathering at the same location. Lee disputed the idea that Catholics were attacked for praying during the event, stating that the problem was with the inclusion of the Proud Boys and other white nationalist-connected groups.
The two groups clashed, with members of the Catholic group holding hands and praying the rosary, while the other group advocated for the removal of the statue. Chants of "Black Lives Matter" and "Take It Down" echoed around the statue's base, with one-to-one shouting matches taking place between individuals from the two groups.
While there were reports of violence, these were not directed at the Catholics specifically. A man wearing a green shirt was punched, but he was not part of the Catholic contingent praying at the base of the statue. The man, who identified himself as a member of the KKK, later wrote on Facebook that he had a knife during the protest and challenged one of its organizers to a "dual of swords".
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BLM activists attacked Catholics praying at the statue of St. Louis
On June 24, 2020, Jim Hoft of the conservative blog "The Gateway Pundit" called on "all Catholic and Christian men and their allies" to gather for a prayer rally at the statue of St. Louis to "save the iconic statue." The statue, which was erected in 1906, has been targeted for destruction by BLM and other radical leftist groups due to its namesake, King Louis IX of France, who led the Christian world's seventh crusade against Muslim aggression.
In response to Hoft's call, St. Louis resident Umar Lee, a Muslim and activist, organized a "Stop Hate and Racism" gathering at the same location to advocate for the removal of the statue. Lee has worked alongside Moji Sidiqi to start a petition to remove all symbols of King Louis IX, citing the king's historical antisemitism and Islamophobia.
During the event, there were altercations between the two groups. A man wearing a green shirt, who has been identified as a member of the KKK, was punched and had a liquid poured on him. However, it is unclear who initiated the altercation, and the man himself wrote on Facebook that he "applauded" his attacker. There are also claims that Catholics praying at the statue were harassed, berated, and assaulted by BLM protesters. However, these claims have been disputed, and it is important to note that the group described as "Catholics" included individuals associated with hate groups and white nationalist ideologies.
While there is evidence of tensions and confrontations between the two groups, it is unclear if the Catholics were specifically targeted or attacked by BLM activists during the prayer event at the statue of St. Louis. The exact details of the altercations and the involvement of the Catholics present require further investigation and context.
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The gathering was organised by the proprietor of a far-right conspiracy website
The incident in question refers to an event that took place in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 28, 2020, where a group of Catholic demonstrators were confronted by protesters associated with the Black Lives Matter movement. The Catholic group was gathered outside the St. Louis Cathedral, following a Facebook event invitation titled "Prayers and Rosaries for Reparation and Secular and Spiritual Needs of Our Country." This gathering was organized by the proprietor of a far-right conspiracy website, who goes by the name of Jim Hoft. Hoft is the founder of "The Gateway Pundit," a website known for publishing right-wing conspiracy theories and fake news.
Hoft's event was intended as a show of support for police and a counter-protest to the Black Lives Matter demonstrations that had been taking place in the city. The Catholic group, which included many elderly individuals, was described as a "peaceful prayer group." However, their presence was met with anger and hostility by some BLM protesters, who saw the gathering as a provocation and an attempt to undermine the BLM movement. The situation escalated, and there were reports of violence and assaults, with some members of the Catholic group being punched, kicked, and having water thrown at them.
The organizer, Jim Hoft, has a history of controversial and provocative actions. "The Gateway Pundit" has been widely criticized for publishing false and misleading information, often with a strong bias towards right-wing politics. Hoft has also been accused of using his platform to spread conspiracy theories, including those related to the COVID-19 pandemic and QAnon. In the past, he has also made controversial statements about racial issues, and his website has published articles with racist undertones.
In the context of the St. Louis incident, Hoft's role as the organizer of the Catholic gathering adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. While the Catholic group may have intended a peaceful demonstration, Hoft's involvement and the nature of his website suggest a potential ulterior motive. It is possible that the event was organized with the intention of provoking a response from BLM protesters, thereby generating content for Hoft's website and furthering his political agenda.
This incident highlights the complex dynamics of political and social tensions in the United States. While the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of speech are fundamental principles, the presence of provocative actors with potentially malicious intentions can quickly escalate situations and lead to violence. It is important to recognize the role that conspiracy theorists and far-right media play in inflaming tensions and potentially endangering those who, in good faith, participate in these gatherings.
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The event was attended by Catholic priests and members of white nationalist groups
On June 24, 2020, Jim Hoft of the conservative blog "The Gateway Pundit" called on "Catholic and Christian men" in the St. Louis area to gather for a prayer rally at the statue of King Louis IX in Forest Park. The statue, erected in 1906, has been a point of contention, with activists calling for its removal due to its association with historical antisemitism and Islamophobia. Louis IX, the only French king to be canonized in the Catholic Church, financed and led crusades against Muslims in Egypt and Tunisia, resulting in his veneration.
In response to Hoft's call, Umar Lee, a Muslim and activist, organized a counter-protest named "Stop Hate and Racism." The event was attended by Catholic priests and members of white nationalist groups, including the Proud Boys. While the exact sequence of events leading to the altercation is unclear, there were instances of violence and confrontations between the two sides.
Lee stated that he had no issue with the presence of priests or individuals praying but took exception to the participation of alt-right and white nationalist groups. He emphasized that they would not tolerate the spread of white nationalist ideologies in the heart of St. Louis. This sentiment was echoed by other activists, who drew parallels between the statue of Louis IX and those of other racist historical figures, such as Christopher Columbus and Confederate soldiers.
The gathering resulted in clashes between the Catholic contingent, their confrontational allies, and Lee's group. A Reuters photographer at the scene confirmed that the man in a green shirt, who was punched, was not part of the Catholic group praying at the base of the statue. This man, identified as "Paul," later wrote on Facebook that he "applauded" his attacker because he had been accused of being a member of the KKK. He also acknowledged carrying a knife at the protest, which he brandished after the altercation as a "show of strength."
The event and its aftermath highlight the complex dynamics surrounding racial justice protests and the intersection of religious and ideological beliefs. While the presence of Catholic priests and members of white nationalist groups at the event is confirmed, the characterization of the entire group as solely "Catholics" omits crucial context about the diverse ideologies and motivations of those involved.
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The statue of King Louis IX has been targeted for destruction by BLM and other radical leftists
The statue of King Louis IX in St. Louis, Missouri, has been at the centre of controversy, with some calling for its removal and others defending its presence. The statue has become a flashpoint for competing ideologies, and there have been allegations of violence and intimidation during protests.
On June 24, 2020, Jim Hoft of the conservative blog "The Gateway Pundit" called on "Catholic and Christian men" to gather at the statue for a prayer rally. In response, local activist Umar Lee and entrepreneur Ben Poremba organised a counter-protest, "Stop Hate and Racism," to advocate for the statue's removal. Lee has stated that the presence of white nationalist groups like the Proud Boys and individuals connected to them was unacceptable and that the counter-protest was directed at them, not the Catholic priests or other faithful attendees.
During the protests, an altercation occurred, which was captured in photographs and videos circulated online. These visuals allegedly show a man in a green shirt, identified as Paul, being punched. Paul has stated that he carried a knife at the rally and challenged one of the organisers to a "dual [sic] of swords." He also wrote on Facebook that he "applauded" his attacker because he believed the man thought he was a member of the KKK.
While some sources claim that Black Lives Matter (BLM) activists were present at the event, others, including Lee and another organiser, Moji Sidiqi, have clarified that it was not an official BLM protest. They characterised it as an interfaith movement and expressed solidarity with BLM's overall cause. However, some outlets and individuals have continued to associate the protest with BLM, and there have been allegations of BLM members attacking Catholics.
The statue of King Louis IX has become a contentious issue due to the king's historical antisemitism and Islamophobia. Louis IX was canonised for burning thousands of copies of the Talmud and leading crusades against Muslim nations, which some argue is a symbol of generations of hate. Activists calling for the statue's removal draw parallels with the efforts to take down statues of other racist historical figures, such as Christopher Columbus. They view the statue as an "edifice to hate" that needs to be toppled.
In conclusion, while the statue of King Louis IX in St. Louis has been targeted for destruction by some activists, including those associated with BLM and other leftist ideologies, the characterisation of the entire movement as violent or attacking Catholics is misleading. The presence of individuals with conflicting ideologies and the involvement of counter-protesters adds complexity to the situation. The statue has become a focal point for discussions on historical reconciliation and the legacy of racism and colonialism.
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Frequently asked questions
On June 24, 2020, a group of Catholics gathered in Forest Park, St. Louis, to pray for the protection of the St. Louis statue. Another group, including members of BLM, arrived to advocate for the statue's removal. Violence ensued, with some members of the Catholic group reportedly being harassed, spat on, and assaulted. However, it is important to note that the event was not an official BLM protest, and the group described as "Catholics" included individuals associated with hate groups and white nationalist ideologies.
The statue in question depicts King Louis IX of France, who was canonized in the Catholic Church. However, he has also been criticized for his historical antisemitism and Islamophobia. Activists in St. Louis called for the statue's removal as a symbol of reconciliation against generations of hate.
While there were reports of violence and assault, the extent of any injuries is unclear. One source mentions an elderly man who had an unidentified liquid poured on him and was then attacked by an individual from the crowd.
The group described as "Catholics" was not solely comprised of Catholics and included members of alt-right and white nationalist groups, such as the Proud Boys. These groups have been accused of co-opting the event to spread their ideologies and were not aligned with the Catholic Church's official stance.
