Protests erupt against coffee shop owner for his Christian beliefs
- Jamie Sanchez opened The Drip Café in Denver to help homeless individuals through his ministry.
- He faces protests from an organized group due to perceived anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments linked to his Christian beliefs.
- Despite the opposition, Sanchez continues his mission to serve the homeless, holding worship events to counter protests.
In Denver, Colorado, coffee shop owner Jamie Sanchez has experienced ongoing protests from an organized group identifying as Denver Communists. Sanchez, who opened The Drip Café in the Art District, started a homeless ministry called "Recycle God's Love" in 2012 with his late wife. This program provides essential support to homeless individuals, focusing on housing, transportation, identification, addiction counseling, and job opportunities, all grounded in Christian principles. However, before the café opened, Sanchez discovered that an organized protest had been planned against it, motivated primarily by the café's Christian affiliation. The protests began as a response to accusations directed at Sanchez and his business, claiming that it held anti-LGBTQ+ views. Sanchez revealed he had received numerous messages before the café's opening, branded as hateful against the LGBTQ+ community. The demonstrators specifically targeted the café during the first Friday events of each month, which coincides with the area's art walk, leading to tension in the community. Despite this, Sanchez asserts that the intent of his ministry and café is solely to serve and uplift the homeless population. Sanchez reported that approximately 10-20 activists gather to protest each month. They accuse him of harboring bigoted views and attempting to profit off his Christian beliefs. In light of this, Sanchez and his team have opted to hold live worship music sessions inside the café to counteract the disturbances occurring outside. He emphasizes that he aims to spread love, even toward his protesters, and denies allegations of any inflammatory behavior by his staff. The situation has escalated, with Sanchez stating that he has endured harassment and witnessed confrontations, including a spray-painted image left on the café's front door, depicting a KKK figure. He disavows any connections to hate groups and insists the accusations are false propaganda circulated by protesters, who have also claimed there were threats made by his staff. Despite the hostility, Sanchez remains steadfast in his mission to provide help to the homeless, believing in a call to compassion rather than conflict.