The Witches and Wiccans of Everglades Moon Local Council, part of the national organization Covenant of the Goddess, condemn the recent fear-mongering activities in Orlando that took place at Avalon Beyond and Spiral Circle Bookstore in Orlando, FL.
We live in a nation where everyone is free to worship as they see fit, as allowed by the First Amendment of the Constitution. The actions of the church group on March 10, 2025 in Orlando were in direct opposition of that freedom of worship.
By characterizing the proprietors, employees, and patrons as “demons”, by singing songs from passages in the Bible that reference killing a witch, and by continuing to film even after they were repeatedly advised that filming was prohibited on private property, these protestors betray that they were there in a performative sense, and not in the true spirit of their Christ.
They are outsiders who, in their attempts to impose their will by fear and by force on others, show they are no true followers of Christ’s teachings of tolerance and mercy.
Their stated goal of shutting down two successful local businesses that have been in the city for 30 and 50 years respectively, shows they lack an understanding of what the local community needs and wants.
Our hearts and prayers are with our sisters and brothers in Orlando, around the state of Florida, as well as our nation, who are being harassed by such campaigns of intimidation. We stand side-by-side with them against the rise of Christian Nationalism that has reared its ugly head in recent years, and honor their commitments to their gods, whom they should be free to worship as they see fit and without fear.