White Lives Matter Ohio sued after 2023 attack on church hosting drag event

Source: UK Independent

6 hours ago


Members of an Ohio church filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday against hate group White Lives Matter Ohio, alleging that its members carried out a months-long campaign of “intimidation, hate and violence” culminating in March 2023, when Aimenn Penny tried to burn the house of worship for hosting a drag event.

“Using photos and evidence from their own statements, social media messages and hate literature, the complaint we filed today meticulously documents how members of a local White Lives Matter chapter conspired to deprive members of the Community Church of Chesterland of their church property,” said James Pasch, senior director of national litigation at the Anti-Defamation League, which helped bring the lawsuit alongside law firm Jones Day.

“Their resultant actions in targeting a community church with a hate crime are not just morally abhorrent, they are a clear violation of federal civil rights and property law.”The suit names Penny, who was sentenced earlier this year to 216 months in prison after pleading guilty to separate federal charges related to the attempted fire-bombing.

Three others are listed as defendants: Brandon and Sherri Perdue, as well as Chris Uthe, the apparent leader of the Ohio group. The Independent attempted to contact Penny, Mr Uthe, and the Perdues but did not receive a response.

Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/white-lives-matter-ohio-lawsuit-b2527492.html