Christian preacher spreads the Word
Mark Trout offends Jews, Muslims, peace activist club at Israel anniversary celebration
Soheil Rezaee
Issue date: 5/27/08 Section: News
The warm afternoon of Wednesday, May 14 started as a joyous occasion for the De Anza College club Jews, Israelis and Friends, as members and officers celebrated the 60th anniversary of Israel's establishment with chocolate and drinks.
For the De Anza Naqba Committee it was a time for managing a table with information against Israeli occupation of Palestine.
For local street preacher Mark Trout, however, it was a ripe opportunity to spread the message of Jesus Christ to both groups.
Trout first tried to spread his message to the Jews, Isralis and Friends Club "Israel@60" event booth. He read verses from the Bible about Jews to students and interpreted them in a manner that many who were present considered anti-Semitic. Trout then engaged in an argument with Yevgeniy Spektor, the DJ for the event, before being taken aside by two Foothill-De Anza Community College District Police officers and given a warning to stop.
Moving on to the Naqba Committee table, Trout projected his views about Islam, referring to the Muslim prophet Muhammad as a rapist and a pedophile.
A Muslim student, who wishes to remain unnamed, was walking to his class when he overheard the remarks. He felt so outraged that he shoved him in anger.
"I was defending my religion," said the offended student.
Until police rushed in to quell the situation, Naqba committee members and other students held back both the offended student and Trout to prevent the violence from escalating.
"I resent Mark Trout's demeaning comments toward women, homosexuals and communists," said Stefan Hird, De Anza student.
Trout's sermonizing offended many students in the area, who found him too aggressive.
"You don't go to college to change your religion," said DJ Spektor. "You go to learn."
Police escorted Trout to the Administration Building, where Robert Griffin, vice president of Student Services and Institutional Research, questioned him. Another officer escorted the student to a patrol car near the Sunken Garden for questioning.
For the De Anza Naqba Committee it was a time for managing a table with information against Israeli occupation of Palestine.
For local street preacher Mark Trout, however, it was a ripe opportunity to spread the message of Jesus Christ to both groups.
Trout first tried to spread his message to the Jews, Isralis and Friends Club "Israel@60" event booth. He read verses from the Bible about Jews to students and interpreted them in a manner that many who were present considered anti-Semitic. Trout then engaged in an argument with Yevgeniy Spektor, the DJ for the event, before being taken aside by two Foothill-De Anza Community College District Police officers and given a warning to stop.
Moving on to the Naqba Committee table, Trout projected his views about Islam, referring to the Muslim prophet Muhammad as a rapist and a pedophile.
A Muslim student, who wishes to remain unnamed, was walking to his class when he overheard the remarks. He felt so outraged that he shoved him in anger.
"I was defending my religion," said the offended student.
Until police rushed in to quell the situation, Naqba committee members and other students held back both the offended student and Trout to prevent the violence from escalating.
"I resent Mark Trout's demeaning comments toward women, homosexuals and communists," said Stefan Hird, De Anza student.
Trout's sermonizing offended many students in the area, who found him too aggressive.
"You don't go to college to change your religion," said DJ Spektor. "You go to learn."
Police escorted Trout to the Administration Building, where Robert Griffin, vice president of Student Services and Institutional Research, questioned him. Another officer escorted the student to a patrol car near the Sunken Garden for questioning.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
George E. Smith
posted 5/27/08 @ 7:12 PM PST
On this day, I happened to be walking through table area, and was entering the Hinson Campus Center, coming from the A-Quad, when I overheard Mark speaking, and to be quite honest, I personally found him to
be very offensive and even insulting; however, I decided not to go and argue with him, and give what I really felt he was looking for, an audience and a great acting performance. (Continued…)
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