ADL Denounces Church Vandalism following Prop 8′s Passage

California voters approved Proposition 8, a ban on same-sex marriage, on Tuesday.

A Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel was tagged by vandals who are apparent opponents of a same-sex marriage ban that voters recently passed.

The outcome has sparked protests across the state from those who opposed the measure, including a massive demonstration in front of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The church encouraged its members to work to pass California’s Proposition 8 by volunteering their time and money for the campaign. Thousands of Mormons worked as grassroots volunteers and gave tens of millions of dollars to the campaign.

The Anti-Defamation League today denounced the recent spate of vandalisms that have occurred at religious institutions across the state in response to the passage of Proposition 8.

ADL issued the following statement:

“Although we strongly opposed Proposition 8, its passage does not justify the defacement and destruction of property. We urge Californians to channel their frustration and disappointment in productive and responsible ways to work towards full equality for all Americans. To place anyone in fear of threat to their houses of worship or their personal security because they have expressed deeply held religious views is contrary to everything this nation represents. Our Constitution’s First Amendment protects freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion for all of us.”

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.