Radical Demonstrators Return To Community College Campus, Stir Students

A group of radical Christian demonstrators returned to Bucks County Community College’s Newtown Township campus Thursday afternoon.

Unlike last week’s unannounced demonstration that ended with the lead demonstrator’s sign damaged and two men telling their story to township police, community college officials and police were prepared and set up a perimeter made up of barricades and campus security.

The lead demonstrator – who identifies himself as “Pastor Aden” – his wife, Mary, and two daughters along with another supporter and her two sons stood between authorities and the students.

“You’re whores,” Aden told a group of college-aged women who laughed at him.

The emotionally charged rally between the group of radical Christians and students was heated at time but authorities, some students and staff worked to keep things from getting out of control.

Aden railed against gay people, transgender individuals, Muslims, Catholics, Jews and numerous social groups. He took focus on calling out some students based on their looks, religion and sexual preference.

The boisterous preacher, who told reporters he has become accustom to threats from those who don’t like his message, yelled “repent sinners” several times throughout his message to the community college. He also engaged in tough words with at least two students who were Muslim and two other women who said they had abortions.

Throughout the two-hour rally that was protected by free speech laws, Aden said his message was about love and spreading the word of God.

“I thought the bible taught Christians to love everyone,” a student shouted at Aden.

“This is wack, yo,” another student said before turning his phone to record the rally.

Dr. Stephanie Shanblatt, the president of the community college, encourage students to be respectful of the demonstrators even if they disagreed. She spoke with one student who held a sign that read “f**k this guy.” The student respectfully disagreed with Shanblatt’s request to take down the sign and implored that it was his First Amendment right to hold up the sign.

Campus security and Shanblatt worked to calm down a black student who was upset after Aden make racial cracks about his mother. The student was visibly upset and was shaking by the time he decided to walk away.

Other students urged their peers to walk away and ignore Aden and his group. Another student used free candy to distract students from the demonstrators.

Newtown Township police estimated about 150 students gathered at the height of the rally in the community college’s quad.

Aden alleges that he was attacked by a student last week when he came to demonstrate with his wife. The first event ended with a student damaging his sign and Aden being led away in handcuff. However, police are still investigating the incident and no charges have been filed against Aden or any students.

“Of course we forgive him, but the law is the law and he will need to pay for another banner,” Aden said of the student who damaged his sign.

Aden and his family moved to Bucks County in the past few months. He told NewtownPANow.com that he lives on a 16-acre farm and preaches on the street, on Philadelphia college campuses and at the annual gay pride parade downtown.

“We love people and we don’t want them to go to hell,” he said, adding that even reporters can go to hell for not believing in God.

While his message was strong and many students found it offense, a group randomly polled said they respected Aden’s right to demonstrate. However, nearly all said they also had a right to heckle him.

Aden drew boos when he said they only book he was getting his wife was a cookbook.

Student Matt Kelly said a group of his peers offered hot drinks to security and police working the event.

“Love drowns out hate,” he said.

Other students were seen thanking security and police. A group of young women went around offering cookies and pizza to authorities.

“What do you think this is? My break?,” a security guard joked with the women as Aden explained to students why he believed they are going to hell just a few feet away.

Aden said he has tried talking with people one-on-one and at demonstrations in public and both are effective for spreading his message. His wife added that they were just trying to save students from hell.

The group plans to return to the community college in spring semester.