Loomis UCC staffer followed onto Sierra College Campus

A man followed a Loomis Basin United Congregational Church (Loomis UCC) staff member to Sierra College's campus on March 28, according to a statement released by the college. According to the statement, the staffer works in the children's daycare at the Loomis Basin United Congregational Church. The church's non-religious group, The Landing Spot, has been caught up in multiple incidents that have sparked controversy. Those incidents include the cancellation of its drag show at Roseville High School, a video from Project Veritas that was said to be "highly edited," and death threats toward group leader Pastor Casey Tinnin. "A member of the Sierra College community was targeted and harassed" for their alleged work with LGBTQ youth," said Sierra College public information officer Josh Morgan. The college's filed report said, "The man approached the staffer and asked if their name was 'xxxxx. The man then said, 'you're poisoning the minds of kids and now we know where you go to school.'" Sierra College defended the staffer in its statement: "Sierra College is a safe place for LGBTQIA+ individuals and we are committed to providing protection in every way possible against harm. As part of our core values, we are committed to maintaining and supporting a safe and inclusive environment. We uphold and value freedom of speech and expression, and we choose as a college community to reject hate speech and provide support for one another." Morgan said that the college is helping keep students safe by keeping the Sierra College community informed. "We put out a message to make sure that everyone in our community is aware and can take appropriate actions. We provide guidance that if anyone feels threatened in any way to call 9-1-1 immediately or our Community Safety." Students who feel threatened can reach out to Sierra College Community Safety for emergencies by using one of the emergency phones across campus that directly connect to Community Safety. For non-emergencies, call 916-660-7120. For more information on the services, visit the website at sierracollege.edu/visit-sierra-college/security/. Sierra College will host an "open community space" from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Cross-Cultural Center in building J-8 to allow students who might be "struggling to cope with this news or experiencing stress, anxiety, grief or fear."