Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Police, Kerry staff expel Roman-collar-wearing seminarians from Kerry/Edwards Debate Watch Party
Priesthood.com ^ | October 09, 2004

Posted on 10/11/2004 9:35:38 AM PDT by Coleus

Saturday, October 09, 2004

 

Pro-Life Witness: How It Happened

Last evening a group of seminarians dressed in clerical attire and the sweatshirts you see to the left, and laity gathered to offer a pro-life witness at the Kerry/Edwards Debate Watch Party and Rally held at the America 's Center downtown St. Louis .

The group, which was about 25 in number, gathered at 5:30 pm for prayer and instructions, after that we walked to the America 's Center while praying the Stations of the Cross. When we arrived we got in line to enter the event like everyone else. Two of us carried two bags containing signs for the whole group to hold. We (the two of us with the signs) were immediately confronted by some "Firemen for Kerry" who were providing security for the event. They informed us that we would be unable to take the signs into the event. I informed them that I had already spoken to the security officials earlier that day and they informed that if there were no sticks or any other thing that could be used as a weapon that they would have no problem with us bringing the signs in. At that point I asked to speak with the person who was supervising them. After a short wait a gentleman claiming to be a secret service agent (although I have my doubts) came and conceded that legally the could not keep us or the signs out of the event, but that the Kerry/Edwards people decided that we should not bring them in. I then asked to speak to someone from the Kerry/Edwards campaign.

After a longer wait a young lady claiming to be a staff member of the Kerry/Edwards campaign approached. She asked to see the signs, so we showed them to her. As soon as she realized that the signs said things such as "You CANT be Catholic and pro-choice. She said that we would be unable to enter with the signs. I produced a document from the ACLU that said otherwise. At this point we began to be accosted by various Kerry supporters. They were right up in my face, screaming and yelling. With their arms flailing they informed me that I was not welcome there. Others screamed "Who are you to tell me that my daughter who was raped cannot have an abortion." We remained calm and prayerful.

At this point I received a phone call from the main group of seminarians telling me that the police and security had informed them that our whole group was going to be denied access to the event and were preparing to escort them from the building. Being the spokesman for the group I immediately went to speak with the police. I informed them that since this was a public event and we had tickets that they had no right to deny us access. They assured me that they could and would deny us access. I asked to speak with the next level of security. After waiting about a half hour I was approached by the highest ranking officer present who informed me that the Kerry/Edwards people were denying us access. I asked to once again speak with a representative from the Kerry/Edwards campaign.

They sent the same woman who I had discussed the sign issue with. She informed me that since the Kerry/Edwards campaign had rented the America 's Center they had every right to deny anyone that they deemed likely to cause a disruption of to be a threat to the safety of the Senator. I told her that we would leave our signs outside. She said no. I told her that we would say nothing, and that we were not there to cause a disruption or harm to the Senator, and that if we did cause a disruption they could remove us. She said no. I asked her what evidence they had that we were going to cause a disruption, at which time she fell silent because there was no evidence. Up until this time the only disruptions were those cause by the Kerry supporters themselves, all we did was stand silently in prayer. I pressed her on this issue, but she could not give an adequate answer. They had no grounds for expelling us other than the fact that we were wearing roman collars. They knew our very presence would challenge Senator Kerry’s position on Life issues and the wanted to avoid that, even if it meant squelching our freedom of speech and freedom of expression. So much for the Democratic Party being a party of understanding and diversity.

At this point the Kerry people left and I was whisked away for a meeting with the police. They informed me that I had two options. To be escorted out peacefully or forcefully. I told them that we would leave peacefully since we did not come to cause problems only to provide a silent and prayerful witness to the sanctity of human life. I told the officers that I had only one request before we left; I wanted to know the reason we were being denied entrance. Clearly, as the police conceded, we were not a security threat, and there was no evidence that we were going to be disruptive. They asked the Kerry/Edwards people who said they would no longer speak to us about anything. Thus we were escorted out amid jeer and cheering from those still standing in line. But this is not the end of the story...

posted by drchrist, 14:21 | link | comments (16)


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections; US: Missouri
KEYWORDS: abortion; abortionlist; cathoilcpoliticians; catholic; catholicchurch; catholiclist; catholicpoliticians; johnfkerry; kerry; kerryedwards; missouri; mo; prolife; stlouis
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-70 next last
To: CincinnatiKid

Mega-bump! Well done.


41 posted on 10/11/2004 10:29:01 AM PDT by talleyman (The Democrat Party is a criminal enterprise.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Coleus; american colleen; sinkspur; Lady In Blue; Salvation; narses; SMEDLEYBUTLER; redhead; ...
Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list


42 posted on 10/11/2004 10:29:49 AM PDT by NYer (Where Peter is, there is the Church.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

They expelled Christ as well!

God forgive them. I have real difficulties in doing so.


43 posted on 10/11/2004 10:37:14 AM PDT by ThomasMore (Pax et bonum!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Proudly Republican

"Now, why do you suppose the Kerry camp would deny entry to a Catholic group, since Kerry proudly says he is one? Ha!"

Exactly!! I'm a catholic and I guess I'm not welcome at a Kerry Rally either. Although I would never show my face at a Kerry rally....WITHOUT A FREE REPUBLIC "VETERANS FOR BUSH" SIGN IN MY HAND!!



44 posted on 10/11/2004 10:37:30 AM PDT by libs_kma (USA: The land of the Free....Because of the Brave!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: eastsider
"Honi soit qui mal y pense"

What language is that?

45 posted on 10/11/2004 10:42:51 AM PDT by OHelix
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: OHelix
The language of the Order of the Garter, founded by Edward III of England in 1348 ...
46 posted on 10/11/2004 10:52:15 AM PDT by eastsider
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: eastsider

Hmmm... Thanks for the link. I asked because it didn't seem consistent with Latin, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian.

After a reading your link and a little googling, I've concluded it's apparently an Anglicanized spelling of the French language.

Sorry for the nerdy question. :o)


47 posted on 10/11/2004 11:05:36 AM PDT by OHelix
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Jonx6

ping


48 posted on 10/11/2004 11:26:20 AM PDT by TXFireman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: OHelix
I thought you were trying to trick me into admitting that it was very old French : )

You've aroused my curiosity. What makes you think it's Anglicanized?

49 posted on 10/11/2004 11:27:05 AM PDT by eastsider
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: ThomasMore

"God forgive them. I have real difficulties in doing so."

I'll try harder if you will.


50 posted on 10/11/2004 11:33:45 AM PDT by dsc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: F16Fighter

"He is the most vile and despicible candidate ever for the Presidency of the United States."

Nah, Klintstone was worse.

At least Kerry isn't surrounded by a cloud of mysterious deaths.


51 posted on 10/11/2004 11:35:31 AM PDT by dsc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: dsc

As Christians, we are expected too..and virtue mandates we do...for the love of Christ. :^)


52 posted on 10/11/2004 11:39:49 AM PDT by ThomasMore (Pax et bonum!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: dsc
At least Kerry isn't surrounded by a cloud of mysterious deaths.

Funny, I've always thought Senator Heinz died under mysterious circumstances...

53 posted on 10/11/2004 12:34:57 PM PDT by TaxRelief
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

bump


54 posted on 10/11/2004 1:24:56 PM PDT by Weirdad (A Free Republic, not a "democracy" (mob rule))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

John F'n Kerry bump


55 posted on 10/11/2004 2:36:16 PM PDT by Dajjal ("I wish they had a delete button on LexisNexis." -- John F'n Kerry 6/1/03)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dsc
Choosing the degrees of despicability between Clinton and Kerry ain't easy.

Who was worse -- Stalin or Hitler?

56 posted on 10/11/2004 4:21:34 PM PDT by F16Fighter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. (Matt 5: 3-12)

God Bless you and your good work.


http://members.aol.com/godsbabies1/aboutus.htm#preface


57 posted on 10/11/2004 4:28:03 PM PDT by Raquel (Liberals abide by a standard all their own.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Coleus
What an awesome witness. Simply, awesome and magnificent. These are the priests I knew long ago; strong and stalwart. They have returned to America. What an awesome witness.

And let me add here, for any who have never witnessed a consecration or a synod -- seeing that many of the apostolic succession gathered in one place -- robed -- can make your heart go still. I can only imagine what the mere presence of such ordained had in effect upon those in the Kerry camp who consider themselves "Catholic".

58 posted on 10/11/2004 5:58:14 PM PDT by Alia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Alia

Addenem: Yes, seminarians. I did catch that. A sign of things to come. :)


59 posted on 10/11/2004 6:01:31 PM PDT by Alia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

See, this is what they actually mean whey they talk about "intolerance." That's the way that Democrats work. If you don't toe the party line, they show you the door. There simply is no room in their party for people that don't buy into their culture of death. John Kerry spins his sophistry constantly, too, declaring himself to be opposed personally to abortion but unwilling to exercise his so-called faith; in other words, if he were a Roman procurator, he'd be no better than Pontius Pilate: "Hey, I'm personally opposed to crucifying this Jesus guy, but I'm not going to let my faith stand in the way of the people's choice..."


60 posted on 10/11/2004 10:39:36 PM PDT by Bush2000
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-70 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson