Posted on 07/24/2004 12:24:13 AM PDT by Former Military Chick
Update: Christian Group Plans to Sue Secret Service By Nathan Burchfiel CNSNews.com Correspondent July 23, 2004
(CNSNews.com) - On the day the Democratic National Convention opens in Boston, a pro-life group will be in federal court suing the U.S. Secret Service for the restrictions imposed on its planned protests.
The Christian Defense Coalition will file its lawsuit Monday in response to the Secret Service barring the coalition from demonstrating in front of the residence of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry on Boston's Beacon Hill. The pro-life group was told it could not demonstrate even after it had already obtained a permit from the city of Boston.
Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, told CNSNews.com that the group had planned to hold a prayer vigil at Kerry's home Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights. He said the group also planned to leave behind one dozen roses each night "to encourage him [Kerry] to remember to protect America's greatest natural resource: her children." Kerry supports abortion rights.
Mahoney called the protest restrictions "very troubling."
"The city of Boston ... promised us the world," he said, referring to the settlement the city offered when threatened with a lawsuit. The Coalition filed a lawsuit against Boston claiming the city's permit process for the convention restricted free speech. The city settled before the case went to court.
He claims his attorneys were told this week that the city knew of no plans for the area to be shut down. But Mahoney said he's skeptical.
"They knew, I think, all along that the Secret Service would shut the area down. So in a way, Boston wants to have their cake and eat it too," Mahoney said. He added that the city doesn't want to appear as if it's infringing on free speech, but is willing to let the Secret Service restrict access.
Still, Mahoney said he hopes the Secret Service will relent and allow his group to demonstrate starting Sunday night. "We've already got the city to settle with us once," he said. "They already saw we're not bluffing."
But if the Secret Service holds firm, he said, "we'll be ready to go first thing Monday morning. We'll ask for a temporary restraining order against the United States Secret Service."
Mahoney said he would be willing to limit the size of the prayer vigils, but "it's a public sidewalk and we're the only group that has a permit," he added.
Lisa Pollack of the Boston mayor's office said the issue would have to be decided between the Secret Service and the protesters.
"We give permits in good faith," Pollack said. "Unfortunately the hard security zones are the purview of the Secret Service. And they do have ultimate authority in that case."
Kerry will take the roses and put them in a glass to freshen the air in the bathroom of his mansion. He might even thank the protesting group for leaving the flowers.
Another link. Of course I can see the coverage, how we are taking from their convention. Ho hum.
So it's not ok for protestors with a permit to gather in front of Kerry's house, but apparently it's fine for a hostile, screaming crowd to gather in front of Ashcroft's home.
Mahoney doesn't have to pray there, especially this week. This is still a time of war. The Secret Service was doing their job. It could be easy for someone to sneak into a group like that, under the guise of prayer vigil.
Let us know when we can have our free speech rights back.
There is history between these two groups.
Rev. Mahoney in long known to USSS. Somehow he has gotten on their radar screen as a threat. When pinned down to what type of threat - Well he is loud!.
Protection details attempt to minimize/avoid surprises for their protectees.
Rev. Mahoney just knows how to bring attention to important issues while accidently stepping on toes at the same time.
When you look at issues in this nation - Watch for the Pro-Life - Abortion agendas colliding.
When you look at issues world-wide, keep your focus on Israel.
Well of course they blocked it, those were bullets that the SS could not protect Kerry from.
Check out my tag line.
YOU can defend the Ashcroft/Reno Security State Homeland.
I'll wait until I get my rights back.
I believe that in the near future, the mere utterance of the phrase, "I disagree with this administration" will be considered an act of sedition.
And I believe it won't matter if the administration is leftist or right-wing... and it won't mattter if you're shouting and throwing things at a public protest, or merely telling a stranger you think the president is wrong. Especially if it's President Hildabeast.
And THAT phrase would probably get you lined up for a firing squad.
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