LA parish says viral church video of demonstration showed outsiders, no staff involved

A video that went viral on social media of a man being forcibly removed from Precious Blood Catholic Church in Los Angeles involved people with no ties to the archdiocese or church, according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Eoin Richard Connolly had organized an anti-Islam demonstration near the church just west of downtown on Aug. 23. An Instagram video captures him being chased from the church and doused in blue paint before he flees into a Starbucks.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles said in a statement: “Several individuals participating in a rally at a nearby location moved their demonstration to the sidewalk directly outside of Precious Blood Church. Then, when the demonstrators made their way into the church they were asked to leave by a surprised group of women volunteers who were cleaning and locking up the church following the 12:30 p.m. Mass.”

The archdiocese said the parish had no participation in the demonstration, nor did it give permission for its filming.

“The individuals shown in the filming removing another person from the church are not staff nor are they affiliated with the parish in any way. In addition, the man wearing a clerical shirt seen in some of the videos is not part of the parish nor Archdiocese and is believed to be clergy member of another Christian denomination,” the statement said.

“The Archdiocese respects the right to peaceful expression while also recognizing the importance of maintaining a safe and orderly environment for those gathering for religious worship,” the statement said.

Jeff Lee, spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department, said officers responded around 2:25 p.m. on Aug. 23 to a report that 20 to 30 protestors were inside the church. No charges have been filed, Lee said.

Connolly said on Instagram that he planned the “march to the Southern California Islamic Center to stand against the war on AMERICANS by Jihadist sympathizers and Antifa Terrorists.” He could not immediately be reached for comment.