In a recent incident captured on video, a young Republican activist found himself blocked from entering a Philadelphia church by a group of protesters forming a human barrier.
Frank Scales, 22, who founded Surge Philly, encountered a contingent of activists at City Hall alongside Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner at the historic Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church last Thursday evening.
“You can’t come in. It’s as easy as that. You’re not welcome in our sacred space,” a man outside the church, holding a sign, directed at Scales, as shown in footage circulated by Surge Philly. On Instagram.
Scales questioned why he was being denied entry.
In what was clearly a tense situation, the man warned Scales, “If you go in, you’ll see what that means.”
Later in the footage, Scales attempted to approach the church once more, pushing through the crowd while warning, “If you touch me, it’s going to cause problems,” as he locked arms with other demonstrators.
“This is a party of inclusion,” he stated, a grin on his face. “These people are just clowns.”
Earlier in the week, Scales had criticized fiery rhetoric during another Krasner Town Hall and referred to President Trump’s supporters as fascists.
He mentioned that inflammatory language is linked to the death of Charlie Kirk, who was killed earlier this month under dubious circumstances involving a left-leaning college student in Utah.
“Fascists will be fascists,” Krasner remarked, discussing potential National Guard deployment in Philadelphia.
Although the president hasn’t commented on Philadelphia specifically, Krasner claimed that it’s only a matter of time before such actions are necessary.
Krasner described some individuals as people aligned with Adolf Hitler. Reported by NBC 10.
Scales accused Krasner of inciting the violence that led to Kirk’s death, addressing him directly, “People like you are responsible for that. Stop labeling others as fascists.”
He continued, “Krasner is demonizing Trump and making MAGA Republicans into villains. This rhetoric contributed to the tragedy of Charlie Kirk. I find it deeply unsettling.”
Scales criticized “Lawless Larry, Crumb Bum Krasner” for leading the citizens of the city astray with his policies.
Following their encounter at City Hall last Tuesday, Krasner further equated MAGA supporters with fascists.
Krasner shared a personal account, saying, “My father served in World War II. Many in my family didn’t survive the war due to Nazis; those memories linger deeply.”
He concluded, “It’s crucial to recognize the gravity of our current era and not to sugarcoat it.”
The Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church has not yet responded to requests for comment.
