Posted on 08/05/2004 4:41:52 AM PDT by joesnuffy
Thursday, August 5, 2004
MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH
Trooper kicks pro-lifer out of state
Abortion images on truck barred, detainee called 'Jesus freak'
Posted: August 5, 2004
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com
Two pro-life advocates have filed a federal lawsuit claiming one was berated as a "Jesus freak" and "extremist" and the other kicked out of Connecticut by state troopers because of their provocative anti-abortion signs.
After five days in Boston to demonstrate at the Democratic convention, Michael Marcavage and Dennis Green were driving a truck with panels that display large photographs of aborted children when they were pulled over by trooper David Febbraio as they approached Bridgeport, Conn., July 29.
According to Green, the officer said the vehicle could not go any further in the state until the messages were removed from the truck.
Green, citing his First Amendment rights, insisted the truck would remain as it was.
According to the two men, the trooper, Febbraio, informed Green "people should have the freedom not to look at this."
The officer, said Green, began to "fish" for reasons to charge him, contending the men weren't wearing seat belts. But Green contends they were in compliance. Another officer arrived on the scene, Green said, and also began to verbally attack him about the messages and images on the vehicle.
The truck is used by Green's Virginia-based pro-life Christian group, Life and Liberty Ministries, to "communicate the truth" about abortion.
Marcavage, while attempting to videotape the discussion, was placed under arrest. Green was escorted by another state trooper to the New York state line and instructed not to return to Connecticut, the men said.
Marcavage claims while in custody he was berated continually by Febbaraio as a "Jesus-freak," a "wing-nut," "brainwashed" and an "extremist."
The two men are represented by the American Family Association Center for Law & Policy.
One year ago, Febbraio was arrested and charged with eight counts of harassment of a disabled state police dispatcher he referred to as "Gimpy," the AFA notes. One allegations stated Febbraio, using the home address of the dispatcher, subscribed to magazines such as Playboy and CosmoGirl!.
Febbraio described the harassment as a practical joke, according to the Hartford Courant.
"It appears that Connecticut has taken a page from Wyatt Earp's playbook," said Brian Fahling, senior trial attorney for the CLP. "This is a picture perfect example of how to mishandle First Amendment issues."
Michael J. DePrimo, senior litigation counsel for the CLP, said his group has demanded an internal affairs investigation of the incident.
Pulled over by an ***hole with power.
Let's get a couple of minorities to drive the truck. Let's see those politically correct pro-choicers verbally abuse a minority and get away with it!
That's supposed to be mildly funny, somewhat true, and 100% sarcastic!
It is well established that the First Amendment allows for restrictions on "time, place, and manner". I expect these troopers would have dealt the same way with an anti-war group's truck bearing graphic images of the mangled bodies of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq.
This was in Connecticut, driving home from Mass.
I believe if you're a "Jesus Freak" you can be abused despite racial background. /sarcasm
... and the other kicked out of Connecticut by state troopers!- excerpted from the article..
Besides sports teams, what's the difference?
Thanks!
Mass. drivers drive crazily in all lanes, but CT drivers do 60 in a 65 zone, and only in the left lane.
Next time they should travel in a convoy, along with a car-full of Tom Hagen-like lawyers ready to file a show-cause motion in the nearest courthouse.
TROOP G - Bridgeport
149 Prospect Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604
TELEPHONE:
(800) 575-6330
(203) 696-2500
(Note: The 800 number can only be used inside Connecticut.)
Here is the address of the commander of the Connecticut State Police:
Colonel Edward J. Lynch
Deputy Commissioner
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, Connecticut 06457-9294
Telephone: (860) 685-8441
Fax: (860) 685-8354
"Jesus-freak"????? Since when are the police entitled to yell names and intimidate Christians on account of their religion? Clear breach of the First Amendment in my view.
Calling Christians "Jesus-freaks" is not a permissible time, place or manner restriction.
"It is well established that the First Amendment allows for restrictions on "time, place, and manner". I expect these troopers would have dealt the same way with an anti-war group's truck bearing graphic images of the mangled bodies of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq."
These cops set themselves up as judge and jury. Escorting someone to the stateline???? Apparently they didn't even give them 'til sundown.
As agents for the government would you call what these cops did "shrinkage" or "not shrinkage". Gee, let me think about this for a minute.
None of which even remotely applies here.
If these men were driving around with color photos of surgical procedures on their truck, the trooper would have a point.
But there is a holocaust going on in America right now, and these photos serve to alert the public to this unpleasant fact. This fact outweighs the public's right to be free from exposure to unpleasant images.
The driver may or may not be in violation of some law. But that fact is irrelevant, in absolute moral terms. However, the driver should be willing to pay whatever fine is applicable.
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