L.A. Church Reports 2nd Arson Threat
A South-Central Los Angeles church has received a letter threatening arson, the second racist threat against the small, all-black congregation in recent months, church officials said Sunday.
The Rev. Robert L. Cathcart, pastor of St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church in the 12900 block of South Avalon Boulevard, said the letter was postmarked June 20 in Long Beach. He said the letter read: “Your church is next to be burned.” It was signed “KKK.”
Cathcart said a caller who identified himself as “KKK” left a message on the church’s answering machine last month, asking: “Is this the location where they will be burning the neo-Nazi cross?”
St. Mark, with a membership of fewer than 60, is taking the threats seriously amid a rash of arson at black churches, Cathcart said.
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