Posted on 01/08/2004 2:46:58 PM PST by truthandlife
A trial begins today for four ministers arrested in Philadelphia while preaching outside of a "gay pride" celebration event.
Jim Lymon, a New York evangelist, and Pennsylvania pastors Jim Grove, Stephen Garisto, and Michael Marcavage were arrested last July and charged with disorderly conduct and defiant trespass while evangelizing on a public street outside of "PrideFest" -- an annual homosexual, bisexual, and transgendered event. The day-long event featured various activities, including the sale of pornographic materials, public nudity, and open lewdness.
Marcavage says all four ministers cooperated with police but were arrested simply for preaching the gospel.
"There was no unlawful thing that we were doing. We were just out there talking to people," Marcavage explains. "We had a lot of good discussions going, and it was very unfortunate that this would come about -- but you come to expect that when you're on the front lines. When you're dealing with people in a public forum, the police become more aggressive."
In Marcavage's opinion, the arrests underscore the need for spiritual awakening in America. He says what he and the others are involved in "is a spiritual battle" -- and that without the prayers of fellow believers, it is difficult to continue to stand against the opposition.
"In this battle, more and more opposition [emerges] when we're out there and we're trying to witness for Christ," he explains. "We're trying come against evil in our communities, to say 'No, Satan, we're not going to allow you to invade our communities anymore.'"
Despite that opposition, Marcavage promises to continue preaching the gospel and to do what is right -- "to stand on God's truth." Grove, Garisto, and Marcavage were jailed until the event was over. Lymon, the first to be arrested, was cited and released.
This might be an emerging speech-code thought-crime matter, or it might also be that the switch-hitters had a valid permit of some kind for their little festival, and the preachers were doing their thing within that permit area.
[Tina Manoogian-King, city Parks and Recreation director] told [Judge Scott] Evans that she and the police agreed to enforce a 50-foot security zone beyond the boundaries of Riverfront Park.
However, when asked, King could not point to any ordinance or state law granting authority for such a zone.
Yesterday wasn't the first time the city has wrestled with the free speech rights of protesters and the constitutional rights of assembly at events such as PrideFest.
As a result of a lawsuit in which Garisto was a plaintiff, U.S. Middle District Judge William W. Caldwell, in December 2002, threw out a Harrisburg ordinance requiring a permit to pass out leaflets or make speeches at city parks.
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