Posted on 12/16/2004 8:15:22 AM PST by OB1kNOb
Appeal to the Supreme Court last hope for Christians
“First, symbols of Christianity are removed from the public square; now, Christians are facing 47 years in prison because they preached the gospel in the public square. Stalin would be proud,” – Brian Fahling, AFA Center for Law and Policy Senior Trial Attorney.
Tupelo, MS - After a federal appeals court denied an emergency appeal to stop prosecution of 11 Christians on Tuesday, Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge William Austin Meehan ordered four of the Christians to stand trial on three felony (criminal conspiracy, ethnic intimidation, and riot) and five misdemeanor charges. If convicted, they could face up to 47 years in prison.
The Christians were arrested on October 10 for praying, singing, and reading scripture during an annual “gay pride” event known as “Outfest” in Philadelphia.
Since the federal courts did not intervene to halt the state prosecution, the last route for the Christians would be an appeal to the Supreme Court says the Christians’ attorney Brian Fahling, senior trial attorney for the American Family Association Center for Law & Policy.
“First, symbols of Christianity are removed from the public square, now, Christians are facing years in prison because they preached the gospel in the public square. Stalin would be proud,” Fahling said.
The federal appeals court in Philadelphia denied emergency relief despite video footage Fahling calls “undisputed evidence” that shows the Christians cooperating with police and continually being harassed by the Pink Angels, a group of homosexuals organized to impede the gospel message. Philadelphia city prosecutor in the case, Charles Ehrlich, attacked the Christians as “hateful” and referred to preaching the Bible as “fighting words,” the judge agreed.
Charges were dropped against the remaining seven apparently because they were not seen quoting scripture on the videotape.
The Philadelphia case represents another example of discrimination toward Christians,” said Tim Wildmon, president of the American Family Association national headquarters. “The past month has poured forth cases of Christian persecution seen in the higher education institution, public school systems, and the judicial court system.”
Center for Law and Policy
Contact: Kathryn Hooks 662-844-5036 American Family Association P.O. Drawer 2440 Tupelo, MS 38803 1-662-680-3886
That's sick. That's Boston.
The 10% figure is from the Kinsey Report. He was a mental case, pedophile.
Thanks. We are getting our ducks in a row. I will contact them.
Agreed. I would imagine that in Mississippi persecuting peaceful Christians amounts to political suicide for a prosecutor. And try finding a jury willing to convict people for reading Bible verses in public.
You know, I heard someone else say that Kinsey was a pedophile yesterday. I had never heard that before. What's the story?
Pro-homosexual police force!
The onlly thing these homosexuals would be selling out of booths at their "Gay Pride" event would be manuals for buggery and how to create a living will!
Journalism is a dead art.
It's also disrupting a religious service, which is a felony.
What do you think is required for something to be a "religion"?
For his research, he consulted known pedophiles, including one who took detailed notes on a 24-hour marathon session of sexually abusing a young boy. In the name of "scientific open mindedness," he didn't report the pedophile to the police.
Does anyone know if Rush or Hannity talk about this? Rush is so afraid to mention anything negative about the homos.
Not to defend Kinsey, but how does that make him a pedophile?
I am curious...why do you remain here if it's sooooo terrible? Sounds to me like you would prefer the company of more perfect people, like yourself. Maybe you live with perfect people and are just pointing out our failure to live up to your god-like expectations. It's a FREE COUNTRY, so you might think of NOT wasting your time with the flawed people who frequent this site, IMHO...
Homosexuals suck.
That doesn't make him a pedophile himself.
If I were a police officer, I think I'd much rather deal with 11 polite, articulate Christians than thousands of screaming angry festival attendees that you might end up having to disperse with tear gas if they got too wound up. Doesn't make it right, of course, but it also doesn't mean the police are anti-Christian or pro-gay.
Contact: Brian Fahling, Esq.
American Family Association
P.O. Drawer 2440
Tupelo, MS 38803
1-662-680-3886
For Immediate Release: 12/13/2004
Philadelphia, PA - The Third Circuit Court of Appeals today denied an emergency appeal by eleven Christians who allege that the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office retaliated against them for exercising their constitutional rights during a homosexual event that celebrated the “National Coming Out Day.” The Philadelphia 11, the group arrested at the coming out event dubbed “Outfest,” were charged with three (3) felonies and five (5) misdemeanors. Among the felony charges were Criminal Conspiracy, Ethnic Intimidation and Riot.
The Philadelphia 11 were placed in handcuffs when Chief James Tiano, liaison between the police department and the homosexual community, ordered the group to relocate to the outskirts of the Outfest event. A few moments prior to their arrest, the group was told by another Philadelphia police officer that because they were on a public sidewalk they were permitted to move freely through the event. The Philadelphia 11 faces a maximum penalty of forty-seven (47) years each in jail.
Early last week the Center for Law & Policy (CLP) filed papers in the federal court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania seeking a temporary restraining order that would prevent the City of Philadelphia from prosecuting the case against the Philadelphia 11. Judge Petrese Tucker heard the case and denied the Philadelphia 11’s request. The CLP immediately appealed Judge Tucker’s decision to the Third Circuit and that Court denied the Philadelphia 11’s request for emergency relief.
“This turn of events is beyond belief,” stated Brian Fahling, Senior Trial Attorney for the CLP. At the hearing before Judge Tucker, the CLP presented undisputed video evidence that captured the “Outfest” events on tape. This video shows that at all times the Philadelphia 11 cooperated with the police and was continually harassed by a homosexual security force called the Pink Angels. Further, despite the disruptive tactics of the Pink Angels, not one Angel was cited or arrested, or even warned. This evidence was not contested by the City of Philadelphia.
“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,” argued Fahling, “ended at Selma.” “It seems that the Philadelphia 11 have become second class citizens in the City of Brotherly Love.” The Philadelphia 11’s preliminary hearing will take place tomorrow, December 14th, 9:00 AM, at the Criminal Justice Center for the Philadelphia Municipal Court, 1301 Filbert Street, Room 606, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Center for Law & Policy is a division of the American Family Association, Inc. The CLP restricts its practice to constitutional litigation in state and federal courts.
See Video (Windows Media format)
http://www.afa.net/clp/videos/philly11.wmv
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