Weeks after a pastor’s remarks shaming women and rape victims went viral, protests have continued to grow outside his North Carolina church, with some denouncing public funding of a church-affiliated school.

On Sunday, dozens of people protested while morning worship services were held at Bible Baptist Tabernacle in Monroe. At one point, a group of women chanted: “Whatever we wear, wherever we go, yes means yes and no means no,” as reported by WCNC.

In a sermon clip widely shared last month, the church’s pastor seemed to defend rapists. 

Commenting last August on seeing women wearing shorts at an outlet mall, Rev. Bobby Leonard said from the pulpit, “If you dress like that and you get raped, and I’m on the jury, he’s going to go free. You don’t like that, do you? I’m right, though. Because a man’s a man.”

Protestors’ signs referenced his remarks. “Men Will Be Men Held Accountable,” stated one. Others read: “1 in 3 Women Are Victims of Sexual Assault” and “Watch Your Thoughts Not My Clothes.” 

On Feb. 23, Leonard released an apology letter for the “pain caused” by his “foolish and sinful statement,” as previamente reportado por El Informe Roys (TRR).

One of the women who protested on Sunday told TRR that Leonard’s apology “did not seem sincere.” She asked to be identified by a pseudonym, Frances Stuart, because of “hateful comments” she has received after local media covered the protest. 

“His letter was only written after the backlash,” said Stuart. “He defended rape culture loud and proud from the pulpit. He should offer a verbal acknowledgement of what he has done wrong.”

On Sunday, several demonstrators’ signs—such as one asking, “What Are Your Kids Learning Here?”—referred to the church’s affiliated charter school, Tabernacle Christian School (TCS). 

The school, which uses church facilities during the week, was founded by Leonard in 1972 and is accredited by the North Carolina Department of Administration. 

In both 2023 and 2024, the school received over $900,000 in taxpayer funds through a state voucher program, reported WCNC. The report cited records from the N.C. Education Assistance Authority. 

Demonstrators called for public funding of the school to be pulled. 

“This church preaches this message, and is not protecting women and children, and is promoting rape culture,” said Callie Price to WCNC. “Why should our money go into this school? It’s just something we’ve got to stand up against in this community.” 

Another woman, Jen Sanders, said: “I want to take our tax dollars out of this school, because I’m not paying for a school that has an environment for rapists and sexual assault.”

Alleged abuse, lax standards at church-affiliated school

Backlash against the fundamentalist pastor and church, which is listed online as an Independent Fundamental Baptist affiliate, has highlighted past allegations against TCS. 

In a statement posted online, a North Carolina woman, who uses the name “Holly Hollow,” gives her account as a former TCS student from 1989 to 1993.

“The pastor’s behavior doesn’t surprise me,” escribió Hollow, who told TRR she was enrolled at TCS from sixth to tenth grade. 

She stated that several of her instructors at TCS “did not have teaching degrees” as her own academics showed. “I was a C student at this school, before I went to another school (and) became an A student,” she stated.

Hollow also recounted an incident that occurred when a visiting preacher spoke at TCS’ mandatory weekly chapel service.

She alleged that the man “grabbed my hand so hard and tried to force me to my knees in between the pews . . . I finally had to scream in his face and rip my hand away.” 

TRR reached out to TCS for a response but did not hear back. 

With diverse demands, protestors unified in standing for survivors

Stuart has participated in multiple protests at Bible Baptist Tabernacle, driving nearly an hour from her home in Albemarle, North Carolina. Other demonstrators she met at the church came from as far away as West Virginia and South Carolina.

Each protest “has started and ended in prayer together,” said Stuart. And she said she has also spoken to multiple women who are former church members and abuse survivors. 

As the church protest has grown from a few people to dozens, demonstrators have expressed several different desired outcomes. 

“Some people just want a verbal apology,” said Stuart. “Some people want the school funding taken away. Some people want (Leonard) to resign. Some people want the entire structure closed down. Everyone has different motivations, but we have found unity in speaking out.” 

Stuart said she has demonstrated to reach out to current and former women in the church. 

“I was there to let them know that it is never a woman’s fault if she’s raped,” she said. “For any woman there, who has gone through that, I want to help her get counseling, services, and whatever help she needs.” 

She added: “Think of a woman who’d been violated and then her pastor telling her it was probably her fault. My heart could not take that, so I had to do something.” 

Periodista independiente Josh Shepherd escribe sobre fe, cultura y políticas públicas para varios medios outlets. He and his family live in the Washington, D.C. area.