DUMFRIES, Va. 鈥� Support continues to flow for a church in Prince William County, Virginia, where . U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, one of the supporters, had tough words for those who commit or encourage others to commit hate-based acts.
鈥淲hether it鈥檚 people who are expressing hate, or whether it is folks who are emboldening those or turning a blind eye to hate, there鈥檚 no such thing as an innocent bystander to hatred,鈥� Kaine said.
Rev. Cozy Bailey, president of the Prince William County NAACP, also showed his support, saying, 鈥淔eel the love, feel the embracing that you鈥檙e getting; it鈥檚 not going to stop, it鈥檚 going to continue.鈥�
Notes touting white supremacy and containing racial slurs were found posted on the Greater Praise Temple Ministries church in Dumfries. Pastor Etta Thompson found the letters Sunday morning when she arrived at the church ahead of services.
鈥淚 was really shocked. My hands started shaking; I was like, here? I can鈥檛 believe this,鈥� she said.
On Thursday, Kaine told churchgoers that the community stands with them and that Virginia鈥檚 progress to overcome hate won鈥檛 be turned around.
鈥淚f there鈥檚 any place that knows, through the pain of history and scar tissue, what violence, hatred and bigotry can do, Virginia knows it,鈥� Kaine said.
Thompson and her co-pastor and husband William Thompson said the outpouring of love from the community has meant a lot to them and that love will always conquer hate.
鈥淲here there is unity, there is strength,鈥� William Thompson said.
The Thompsons said they are ready to forgive those responsible for posting the hate-filled notes.
“Because we all have done something in our lives that we needed somebody or God to forgive us for,” William Thompson added.
Their son, Eric Thompson, who serves as the church鈥檚 minister of music, said the person or persons behind the act are also welcome to join them during a service and to get to know the church鈥檚 members.
鈥淲e welcome you with open arms, if you can just turn from your wicked ways,” he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 easier to love than to hate.鈥�
Dumfries police and the Prince William County Police Department are investigating, but so far, they don’t have a suspect description.
