The alleged perpetrator of a vandalism incident at a church in Bean Blossom, Indiana days after the 2016 election is the church’s own organist.
On November 13, police were alerted to what appeared to be a pro-Trump, anti-gay vandalism incident against St. David’s Episcopal Church. The previous night, someone had spray-painted “HEIL TRUMP,” “FAG CHURCH” and a swastika on the church’s outer walls.
On Wednesday, according to court documents, George Nathaniel “Nathan” Stang, the church’s organist, was charged with institutional criminal mischief for the graffiti.
“I suppose I wanted to give local people a reason to fight for good even if it was a false flag,” Stang told police in a written statement. “I of course realize now that this was NOT the way to go about inspiring activism.”
Stang, who the Indy Star noted is himself a gay man, told the publication: “Over the course of that week, I was fearful, scared and alone, too, in my fear. I guess one of the driving factors behind me committing the act was that I wanted other people to be scared with me.”
