Posted on 12/17/2004 9:38:12 AM PST by DirtyHarryY2K
Four people who were arrested during a confrontation at an annual homosexual pride event in Philadelphia could spend up to 47 years in prison for public reading of Scripture, an attorney for a pro-family organization said on Thursday.
Brian Fahling, senior trial attorney for the American Family Association (AFA) Center for Law and Policy, is representing the group in court. He claims the Christian activists are being persecuted simply for exercising their constitutional rights.
"They were exercising their First Amendment rights in a public forum, and we have videotape that demonstrates that," Fahling said.
The case began on Oct. 10, when Repent America Director Michael Marcavage and 10 other persons preached and read verses from the Bible during an annual "gay pride" event known as "Outfest" in Philadelphia.
Fahling said that a video of the confrontation showed Marcavage speaking through a bullhorn while he and his supporters were "being shouted down by irate gay activists."
However, city officials told the Philadelphia Inquirer that the video did not show the start of the confrontation, when they said Marcavage tried to interrupt an onstage performance with his preaching and then disobeyed a police order to move to the perimeter of the "block party" to avoid the potential for violence.
"They were not prohibited from preaching," said Karen Brancheau, a lawyer for the district attorney's office. "A reasonable request was made to prevent a situation from becoming dangerous to their own safety, as well as the safety of the participants."
Charges were later dropped against seven people in the "Philadelphia 11" because they were not seen quoting Scripture on a videotape of the incident.
However, the remaining four individuals have been ordered to stand trial on three felony counts -- criminal conspiracy, ethnic intimidation and riot -- and five misdemeanor charges. If convicted, Fahling said, they could face up to 47 years in prison.
Charles Ehrlich, the city prosecutor in the case, has called the Christian protestors "hateful" and referred to preaching the Bible as using "fighting words."
Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge William Austin Meehan has banned the protestors from doing any type of evangelism within 100 yards of any "gay and lesbian event."
This past week, U.S. District Judge Petrese B. Tucker denied emergency relief from prosecution despite video footage Fahling calls "undisputed evidence" that the group cooperated with police and were continually harassed by members of a homosexual organization called the Pink Angels.
Then on Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit turned down a similar appeal.
Since the federal courts did not intervene, the last route for the group to avoid trial would be an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, Fahling said
"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," Fahling concluded.
Get out!! I can't believe what I've just read. Rapists don't even get 47 years. Unbelievable.
The stats show that homosexuals represent 1-3% of the populace they are responsible for 1/3 of all child molestation cases. There's a red flag! Why doesn't the MSM do a "expose" style report on that?
They have to prove why this is worse than anything else.
I remember when gays threw blood on the floor of a church in the middle of Mass. That would seem worthy of a month in jail, but not this.
Did they attempt to kill someone? That would only get you possible 5 years instead of 47.
Los Angeles would be an exception to the rule. They reward attempted murder I think.
Good point! People better wise up to the "homo agenda".
HYOE ALERT
Give me a break people...nobody is going to jail for 47 years for this incident.
Someone is trying to get their name in the papers and faces on tv.
HYPE ALERT
Because it would offend 80% or more of the folks in the entertainment and news industries.
Maybe not in the next five years or so, but eventually, there could be wide spread national civil disturbances and even civil war over the issue of Culture. It has all the signposts and potentialiaties for becoming such, since neither side is going to give.
QUOTE
"Charles Ehrlich, the city prosecutor in the case, has called the Christian protestors "hateful" and referred to preaching the Bible as using "fighting words."
Is this the guy from Kansas? The Christian HATE man - the one that went to the funeral of Matthew Sheppard and protested his family???
I would LOVE to see that man in jail! That would make my day.
EVIL person and group that he leads. If there is a Heaven and Hell then I am sure there is a SPECIAL place reserved for the pack of demons.
It's just the left again. Using police powers to further their social agenda instead of concentrating on arresting real criminals. I guess Philidelphia hasn't got any serious crimes to worry about.
That may be, but it goes to show what is possible in the present situation.
I do. Marcavage and company are the associates of Brother Stephen White, the notorious hate preacher now jailed for pederasty. Marcavage himself got in trouble in that case; it seems he set up a website offering a $5000 reward for dirt on the victim.
I've said on previous threads that Freepers should have NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with these people.
Clean and shine your muskets!
Shame on Philly. I always stick up for the peoples right to protest, regardless of issue.
No, You're thinking of Fred Phelps. These folks are not associated with Phelps.
I've said on previous threads that Freepers should have NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with these people.
Can you post a link to that information?
Did you read the other thread? Did you see the video? Are you sane?
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