A parishioner who has attended Sunday Trinity Lutheran Church for years says she was kicked out of a Martin Luther King Jr. church service after speaking up when Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke. 

Genesis Aquino was removed by the NYPD from her parish. Video shows her being escorted out and saying, “I pray you listen to the tenants.”  

Aquino says her message was intended to send a message to Hochul to do more to aid tenants and the working class. She says she felt the governor’s speech discussed more about politics than the life of Martin Luther King Jr. 

“I did not scream at her and I didn’t use foul language,” said Aquino. “I spoke loud, so the audience could hear and… I said, ‘I pray you stand with working class New Yorkers and with tenants’.” 

Aquino plans to continue attending the church and says she hopes that Hochul will hear her message loud and clear. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul's office responded with the following statement: 

"On Sunday morning, Governor Hochul delivered remarks at Trinity Lutheran Church and presented a proclamation in honor of MLK Day to Rev. Dr. Samuel Cruz. NYPD arrived at the church before Governor Hochul arrived, and Executive Chamber staff did not provide any instructions or recommendations to NYPD."