LILY DALE - What began as a peaceful, sunny day in Lily Dale took an interesting turn when about a dozen protesters showed up outside the gates to exercise their constitutional rights.
They weren't demonstrating based on the second amendment, but they did shoot harsh words toward the tourists and staff at the spiritual community.
"The true God damns all false prophets to hell for all of eternity," a pre-pubescent boy yelled toward the gates. "Repent now for your own salvation!"
The group held signs quoting Bible verses while another read "Harry Potter will damn you to hell."
According to the group's leader, a man who only identified himself as John, the group travels throughout the country to protest various people and events spanning everything from gay pride and equal rights rallies to spiritual and religious events that don't jive with their beliefs.
"We came up here from South Florida and even though the words might seem harsh, we are here because we care about every soul inside that compound," he said. "We are believing, born-again Christians- conservative Baptists."
The group was engaged by two youths from inside Lily Dale, who began debating with the protesters.
"What gives you the right to attack these people for what they believe?" the boy said. "Are you a priest?"
The youths continued on with counterpoints to the group's statements but eventually gave up on debate and returned to Lily Dale. At that point, the group returned to yelling at vehicles entering and exiting the gates. The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department was called to the scene before 2 p.m., but left after it was determined that the group was within its constitutional right to assemble.
