Christian Teens' Rally Irks San Francisco's City Fathers
by Ed Thomas
March 30, 2006
(AgapePress) - - An estimated 25,000 youths showed up last weekend for a "Battle Cry" rally in San Francisco -- and then became the latest targets to receive a resolution against them by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
"Battle Cry" is a coalition of 30 groups that is attempting to turn today's youth away from the lure of popular culture and toward Christ while they are still teenagers. But on the day of the rally in the City by the Bay, opposing protesters took to name-calling, in one instance chanting the phrase: "Christian fascists, go away! Racist, sexist, anti-gay!"
In addition, both the rally and related protest caught the attention of City Hall, which adopted a resolution criticizing both as "acts of provocation" by an "anti-gay" pro-life organization. Democratic State Assemblyman Mark Leno, talking to the counter-protesters, referred to the Battle Cry rally as a "fascist mega-pep rally," and said the Christian teens involved in the rally should "get out of San Francisco." This in a city that has long been touting the importance of "tolerance" to support the homosexual movement.
Ron Luce, founder of the ministry Teen Mania and whose group helped to found Battle Cry, appeared afterward on the Fox News show O'Reilly Factor, during which he made it clear that the rally was nothing close to the picture portrayed. "We're not mean," Luce says, "and if you look at the video clips of that rally, they're very kind and they're praying -- and it was pretty startling to see such a violent response."
According to Luce, it was the first time one of his meetings was officially condemned. He says Battle Cry is helping youth to use one of the most important tools for culture change in America -- one he says the political Left has employed best up until now. "Whoever raises their voice in culture is the one who shapes culture," the ministry leader says.
In the coming weeks, similar rallies -- with the intent to change the culture by battling for the hearts and souls of the current teen generation -- are set in Detroit (April 7-8) and in Philadelphia (May 12-13).
Ed Thomas, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
