CHULA VISTA, Calif., (KGTV)– Chula Vista Police are investigating a hate crime after a local church was vandalized overnight. The pastor believes they were targeted because of their strong opposition to a controversial city-run children’s event called “Drag Queen Storytime.”

Holy music filled the halls at South Bay Pentecostal Chuch in Chula Vista. But the walls outside sang a different tune.

“Sure enough at every corner, there were phrases, hateful words, and graffiti on the walls of our church,” Executive Pastor, Amado Huizar said.

Huizar quickly covered up the symbols and messages associated with Satan. He believes the church was targeted.

“There is no doubt,” Huizar said.

For the last two weeks, Huizar has been outspoken about his opposition to a City of Chula Vista library-sanctioned event called Drag Queen Storytime.

“The Chula Vista Public Library said this is a reflection of our community. I beg to differ,” Huizar said.

He believes the event is not age-appropriate, nor should it be a public, taxpayer-funded program.

“If the people want to make that happen, do it at a private setting, at a book store or at a home, but not at the Chula Vista Public Library,” Huizar said.

Huizar said the church’s surveillance system captured two men parking their sedan in the church parking lot at around 3:00 am Sunday and walking toward the building. Fifteen minutes later, they are seen jumping back into the car with what looked to be spray cans in their hands. Huizar has since filed a hate crime report to Chula Vista Police and asked for increased patrols.

“I’m all about diversity. I am all about inclusiveness,” Huizar said. “When you do something like a Drag Queen Story Hour, you are excluding a segment of the populous who are not in favor of this because of what we experienced today, or scared to speak out.”

Despite what happened, Huizar said he will not back down.

“I’m very sad,” Huizar said. “I’m heartbroken, but I am going to continue to speak.”

Huizar has a meeting with Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas tomorrow at 11 am. He hopes to convince her to cancel the public event or have it be moved to a private event, like the upcoming South Pay Pride Festival.

If not, Drag Queen Storytime will go on as scheduled at the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch on September 10, 2019.