* I was hearing from some folks last week that a detectable backlash was growing on the South Side against African-American pastors who are supporting Republican Bruce Rauner for governor. But some idiot or idiots got way out of hand, threatening Rev. Corey Brooks…
“The death threats seem to be related to Bruce Rauner,” Brooks said at the church Saturday. “They say his name as well as mine and most of the references were in response to me in support of him. So it’s really derogatory, real racial, a lot of homophobic words. It’s real life threatening.”
Brooks said he received the five phone calls on Friday. He recorded one of them, and provided it to police. In that call, which was played for the Sun-Times, a man’s voice is disguised via a high-pitched filter. He is heard calling Brooks a “token n—–.”
“We on you boy, we on you. And you ain’t got nobody that can stop us, nobody. Who you go [to] the deacons? They can’t stop us. We going to beat your fat a– in front of your mama congregation Sunday. Yeah we going to steal the sheep of the hypocrite. You’s a hypocrite we going to beat your fat a– in front of your own congregation. Who you got that…f— we going to beat their a– too. They can’t protect you. You sell out you Uncle Tom a– n—–. You token. You a puppet for Bruce Rauner you puppet n—– a–. P—- a– n—–,” the voice says on the recording.
Brooks said he believes his family is in danger, which prompted him to move to a temporary home until the threats are investigated.
* And Brooks’ church was broken into Friday night…
“I don’t know who did it,” Brooks said. He did, however, say it was quite a “coincidence” that a burglar smashed a glass charity box in his church and stole $8,000 at some point overnight Friday into Saturday, just hours after he received the threatening phone calls.
A maintenance worker found the church’s back doors shattered Saturday morning. The money was being collected to build a community center across from the church. Police said they were notified of the burglary.
Brooks said the burglary isn’t going to stop church services or the fundraising needed to build the community center.
* There will, however, be no more politicians at Brooks’ church for the remainder of the campaign…
Brooks offered prayers for both Rauner and Quinn, but said that after Rauner’s appearance Sunday, politicians will no longer be invited to address his members — declaring that the nasty nature of the campaign has distracted from the church’s main mission.
* Rauner would only answer “We don’t know,” when asked by reporters if he thought the Quinn campaign was involved, but did say this…
“I’m very concerned,” Rauner said. “It seems like right at the time of his involvement and support of our campaign, some very bad things are happening. It’s very upsetting.”
* Gov. Quinn had this to say…
“I don’t believe at any time any threats or intimidation are proper in any election. I’ve said that before,” Quinn said. “I also think it isn’t right for any candidate to go around Illinois trying to cut the minimum wage and take thousands of dollars out of the pockets of people who live from paycheck to paycheck earning $8.25 an hour.”
* Jim Oberweis react…
“No person in America should be threatened for exercising their constitutional right of free expression. I am extremely distressed that courageous pastor Corey Brooks and his family received multiple vile racist threats and their church burglarized for expressing a political viewpoint he believes would best improve his community. I have the privilege of being friends with Pastor Brooks and believe there is no one in Chicago who has done more to stop violence in his community and courageously tell the truth about inner city problems. We all need to stand with him against these unacceptable threats. In addition, we need the Department of Justice to immediately investigate and hold accountable the persons responsible.”
* Dick Durbin react…
“I think it ought to be investigated at every level. There’s no room for intimidation in political campaigns, left, right or center. There’s no room for violence, including property violence. I believe there should be a complete investigation.”
“It’s worthy of taking up with the U.S. Attorney’s office so that they look into it.”
* Related…
* VIDEO: Bruce Rauner and Pastor Brooks talk politics and crime
* VIDEO: $8,000 Stolen from New Beginnings Church
* VIDEO: Pastor Stands With Rauner After Death Threats And Burglary Of His Church
* VIDEO: Rauner vs Quinn per the Preacher
