Posted on 12/14/2004 9:29:21 AM PST by Map Kernow
A federal appeals court denied an emergency appeal to stop prosecution of 11 Philadelphia-area Christians who allege the District Attorney's office retaliated against them for exercising their constitutional rights at a homosexual event in which they were arrested and later charged with felonies.
As WorldNetDaily reported, on Oct. 10, the group was "preaching God's Word" to a crowd of people attending the outdoor Philadelphia "OutFest" event and displaying banners with biblical messages.
After a confrontation with a group called the Pink Angels, described by protesters as "a militant mob of homosexuals," the eleven Christians were arrested and spent a night in jail.
Eight charges were filed, including three felonies and five misdemeanors. The charges were criminal conspiracy, possession of instruments of crime, reckless endangerment of another person, ethnic intimidation, riot, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct and obstructing highways.
Early last week, the American Family Association's Center for Law & Policy filed papers in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania seeking a temporary restraining order that would prevent the city of Philadelphia from prosecuting the case.
Judge Petrese Tucker denied the Philadelphia 11's request, and the CLP immediately appealed the decision to the Third Circuit, which upheld it.
"This turn of events is beyond belief," said Brian Fahling, senior trial attorney for the CLP.
At the hearing, the CLP presented what it called "undisputed" video evidence that captured the "Outfest" events on tape, showing the Philadelphia 11 cooperated with police and were continually harassed by the Pink Angels.
None of the Pink Angels was cited or arrested.
"Despite the undisputed evidence placed before the court, our action for emergency relief was denied not once, but twice," Fahling added. "Many had thought an outcome like this ended at Selma.
"It seems that the Philadelphia 11 have become second-class citizens in the City of Brotherly Love," he said.
A preliminary hearing takes place today at 9 a.m. in Philadelphia.
The ethnic intimidation charge stems from Pennsylvania's "hate crimes" law – to which the newest "victim" category of "sexual orientation" was recently added. The protesters say a Philadelphia police officer told them that because they were on a public sidewalk they were permitted to move freely through the event. A few minutes later, however, they were arrested and removed.
The Philadelphia 11 face a maximum penalty of 47 years each in jail.
"Evangelical Christian" my lily white, right wing, Republican ass. You're a liar.
is this th e same city where don adams got beat up and the cops arrested him and not the union thugs that beat him up ? its been awhile now so i cant rember the exact city
Thank you for your concern. I smelled it, but didn't dealt it! His post had that aroma!
This case is an interesting addition to that mix. I wonder what the local take is on this turn of events in the city of, er, brotherly love.
Malicious prosecution.
"By "true" conservatives and Christians I presume you mean the lunatic fringe of the lunatic fringe"
I presume that you are a true Republican RINO who thinks that he is smarter than everyone else i.e. an eletist, supports open borders, killing babies, reads the NYT and believes it and that there is no God or that god is whatever you want it to be. Sounds like you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth and probably from the NE - I bet you have never worked a day in your life, your just sad - I feel sorry for you.
Guys its obvious what we have here with jude24 - he loves Pataki and thinks that is a real republican. These are the same kind of people that think Guliani and McCain are conservatives. We have to consider that jude24 is from NY and has never really had to work for anything in his life. jude24 is an eletist and yes man to the RINOs so lets just give him a break he cant help it if he's also an idiot.
Act 2002-143 LAWS OF PENNSYLVANIA No. 2002-143 AN ACT HB 1493
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statues, further providing for ethnic intimidation.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 2710 of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read: §2710. Ethnic Intimidation.
(a) Offense defined.-A person commits the offense of ethnic intimidation if, which malicious intention toward the actual or perceived race, color, religion [or], national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity of another individual or group of individuals, he commits an offense under any other provision of this article or under Chapter 33 (relating to arson, criminal mischief or other property destruction) exclusive of section 3307 (relating to institutionalism vandalism) or under section 3503 (relating to criminal trespass) or under section 5504 (relating to harassment by communication or address) with respect to such individual or his or her property or with respect to one or more members of such group or to their property.
(b) Grading.-An offense under this section shall be classified as a misdemeanor of the third degree if the other offense is classified as a summary offense. Otherwise, an offense under this section shall be classified one degree higher in the classification specified in section 106 (relating to classes of offenses) than the classification of the other offense.
(c) Definition.-As used in this section “malicious intention” means the intention to commit any act, the commission of which is a necessary element of any offense referred to in subsection (a) motivated by hatred toward the actual or perceived race, color, religion or national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity of another individual or group of individuals.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
APPROVED-The 3rd day of December, A.D. 2002 MARK S. SCHWEIKER
It's for anyone in error, whether one defines them as a heretic or not.
How did I twist scripture? I merely stated that the word 'hell' appears in scripture a number of times.
" I have read all of the posts up to this point, and I have yet to see anyone answer the points and questions that Jude has raised with anything other than insults and personal attacks."
Not sure why you are posting this to me. Maybe you mean that comment generically re: the thread and not based on anything I've said.
"He made a fair point that not all Christian protesters are peaceable"
That's true. And not all homosexual protestors/gatherings/parades are peaceable or fit for being held in public. (In fact, I'd venture to say that is true in most cases with homosexual protests/gatherings/parades.
ping
Our new Republican congressman (Charley Dent) from Pat Toomey's district, voted for this when he was a state senator.
Oh man, those are very serious charges.
Baloney.
The Greek word in Titus 3:11 is aresiV, haresis. It is the basis for our word "heretic."
No, I respect the guy even when I disagree with him.
These are the same kind of people that think Guliani and McCain are conservatives.
Moderate conservatives, yes.
. We have to consider that jude24 is from NY and has never really had to work for anything in his life.
You know this how? I'll have you know that I busted my hump getting to where I am now. No one who knows me has ever said anything of the sort. Yes, I have been given a lot of help by parents, and I would not be where I am today without them. But I can honestly say that I have gotten where I am today by hard work.
Exactly what all my "christian" friends are saying about this! I call it denial.
Hmmm...
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
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