Dozens protest after Carmel priest’s comments on Black Lives Matter

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) — People gathered Sunday to protest the controversial comments made by a Carmel priest against Black Lives Matter.

Father Theodore Rothrock was suspended Wednesday after he said that the leaders of Black Lives Matter and Antifa were pushing a left-wing socialist agenda and don’t care about their supporters.

He also called some of the people involved in the social justice protests “maggots and parasites.”

Carmel Against Racial Injustice held the protest for about 12 hours today at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church.

Protesters denounced his comments and say it has no part in the community they want to build.

“There is a lack of diversity here in Carmel, and we spoke with a lot students and teachers of Carmel and just hearing their stories and inspiring us and keeps pushing us to make change even stronger,” said Kayla Seymour, a protester Carmel Against Racial Injustice.

Rothrock did issue what he called a clarification saying it was not his intention to offend anyone.