Posted on 11/19/2004 4:18:22 PM PST by VRWC_Member428
Christians Arrested
Eleven Christians Arrested, Jailed, and Charged Under Hate Crimes Legislation
To: National Desk
PHILADELPHIA, PA. Oct. 11/Covenant News Wire Service/ -- On Sunday, October 10, 2004, eleven Christians with the Philadelphia-based Repent America were arrested, jailed, and charged under hate crimes legislation during an evangelistic outreach at the annual "OutFest" homosexual pride event held in the public streets of Philadelphia.
The six men and five women representing Repent America approached the event and were immediately confronted with unlawful opposition by a group of homosexuals. This group, the “Pink Angels”, was formed by homosexual attorney Chuck Volz, a senior adviser to Philly Pride Presents, organizers of the annual OutFest event which receives $22,500 yearly from the City of Philadelphia. The “Pink Angels” blocked access to Repent America by forming a human chain, refusing to allow the Christians to walk down the public sidewalk. Police intervened shortly thereafter, escorting Repent America through the human blockade.
While on the public sidewalk and street inside the event, Repent America began to open-air preach with the use of Scripture banners, and to distribute Gospel literature, as members of the "Pink Angels" blew loud whistles and carried large signs alongside the Christians to block their message and their access to the event attendees, while others screamed obscenities. The police refused to take action as the Christians were continuously followed, obstructed, and harassed.
Repent America obeyed all laws, and even the unlawful requests, to move by the Philadelphia Civil Affairs police officers in an effort of cooperation. Regardless of Repent America’s compliance, Chief James Tiano, head of the Civil Affairs Unit, without warning, ordered the arrests of the Christians and hauled them off to jail, where they spent 21 hours, before being released the following day. Ten Christians were individually charged with three felonies and five misdemeanors, while a teenager with the group was charged with a misdemeanor.
“This is one of the most remarkable and unlawful actions by police that I have ever witnessed. Their blatant disregard of the law by allowing hecklers to impede our way, block our message, and then arrest us, is inexcusable, especially by police officers who are specially trained to protect civil rights,” stated Michael Marcavage, director of Repent America. “Christians are now being labeled as ‘haters’ and any speech that homosexuals perceive to be intimidating, such as our Christian witness at OutFest, makes them a prime target for ‘hate crimes legislation’,” Marcavage continued.
The three felonies and five misdemeanors include: Criminal Conspiracy (Felony), Possession of Instruments of Crime (Misdemeanor), Reckless Endangerment of Another Person (Misdemeanor), Ethnic Intimidation (Felony), Riot (Felony), Failure to Disperse (Misdemeanor), Disorderly Conduct (Misdemeanor), and Obstructing Highways (Misdemeanor). “We are clearly ‘not guilty’ of these crimes, and with the help of our video footage, we shall be vindicated of these trumped up charges,” Marcavage concluded.
The Christians are scheduled to be arraigned on October 18, 2004 at 8:00AM in the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center.
CONTACT:
REPENT AMERICA
Michael Marcavage
P.O. Box 30000
Philadelphia, PA. 19103
1-800-3-REPENT
Email: repent@repentamerica.com
Website: www.repentamerica.com
So is this the new keyword?
Will "Christian" be used for every evil in this world, just as the SUV has been labeled?
Ridiculous.
People need to recognize that the attitude against Christians is getting more and more vicious.
To have "fundies" (that would be Christian Fundamentalists) compared to Islamofascists is appauling and we need to be on guard to stand up against this kind of outrage.
If nothing else, we have to devote these next four years to reverse this logic-defying, Orwellian 'thought crime' dogma, as well as the 'point system' that assigns greater or lesser severity to the same infraction based on the recipient's gender, color, or sexual proclivities. It's non-discrimination turned ass-backwards and upside-down.
I agree with bubbava; and I also find it funny that Repent America first says the police escorted them through a blockade and then later made arrests without provocation. That's really hard to believe, and it looks to me like Repent America has left some important things out of its little press release. I'd like to hear what the police have to say about it.
somebody please tell me that this is an urban legend.
"Possession of a Bible?"
Can't imagine that happening?
Who would have ever thought stores would have been open on Sunday? Who would have ever guessed homosexuals would be falling out of closets in droves? I still can't believe homosexuals think they can marry.
In my opinion, this is a strong theme that has run a long time, and it just so happens the democrats jumped on this wagon, and they simply do not get it.
They will use this as a tool, put a label on every Bush voter and turn it into an ugly, vile word, all for the sake getting their way.
And if they get their way, one more moral, value or down-right common sense is lost.
Um, not to be rude or disrepectful, but have you bothered to poke your head out the window at any time in the last four years? It doesn't matter what denomination you are, or how often you attend service - if you so much as contemplate a Higher Authority, then you are considered Two Feet Lower Than Whale Squeeze to those genetic aberrations of God's Divine Plan. If there is one thing that the Heathen Culture has had limited success in, it's to condition the intellectually challenged and morally bereft in this country that we are the ones to blame for society's ills.
"If there is one thing that the Heathen Culture has had limited success in, it's to condition the intellectually challenged and morally bereft in this country that we are the ones to blame for society's ills."
Limited success. I'm not sure how old you are, but take a look at the public school system. The Dems are making great strides in the effort to dumb these generations down enough to fall for the labels. Everything is supposed to feel good, be fair; no one can outshine another, for it may hurt other childrens' feelings.
I do not disagree with what your saying, in fact I totally agree with you. I honestly believe the Dems think any one who has a Higher Authority is pond scum to them.
I am just irritated that everything Republicans or Christians do gets labeled, while we aren't allowed to label them, and their party, and their beliefs.
Call the "Alliance Defence Fund", and fast!!!!
Dont be! surprised that is, this is nothing new, and it's what the Alliance defense fund has been formed for. Anything you do or say can get you charged.
I really take issue with the "ethnic" charge, since when are they a nationality??
Sorry it's no legend, it's happened all over the US
Only days prior to the arrests, the American Family Association’s Center for Policy and Law (CLP) had filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court (Marcavage vs. City of Philadelphia), claiming the City of Philadelphia exhibits a “policy, practice and custom” of denying Marcavage’s First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights by continually harassing, intimidating, threatening, and arresting him for his street ministry. CLP attorneys are currently gathering facts and deciding on a strategy to respond to the latest charges stemming from the “Outfest” event.
The preliminary hearing will take place on December 14 at 9AM in courtroom 606 of the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center.
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