FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Hundreds of Muslims from across Kentucky came to Frankfort on Wednesday for Muslim Day at the Capitol.
The event, which was held for the first time, had a goal of introducing people to their lawmakers and showing them how state government works. However, as the event unfolded, a small group of people opposing Islam gathered with signs and a microphone.
CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, later posted avideo showing the protesters addressing Muslim kids as they board a school bus. One of the unidentified men is heard telling the kids "the Muslim faith is a false religion." He later says, "you must repent of your sins and come to Jesus Christ or you will go to hell."
The person recording the three minute clip later intervenes, saying "hey, you guys know these are little kids, right?"
Governor Andy Beshear says he was upset by what he saw in the video.
"Every child should be welcome in this Capitol," said Beshear. "And for people to heckle, or yell at children getting on or off a bus, is shameful. It's wrong."
The situation also caught the attention of Rep. David Hale, a state lawmaker who is also a pastor. He addressed the situation on the House floor on Wednesday.
"Something happened on these grounds that disturbs me as a Christian. It disturbs me as a pastor of a person in the Christian faith. It disturbs me as a father," said Hale. " We had a few individuals on the grounds here (Wednesday) spewing some very, very hateful and hurtful comments to adults and to children."
He told his fellow lawmakers that despite having different religions, he wants everyone welcome at the Capitol.
"Even though I disagree - our religions differ greatly - but I stand here on this floor (Wednesday) saying I would die for the right to them to worship the God that they right so choose."
