Posted on 12/23/2004 1:49:00 PM PST by Pyro7480
Justifying Effort to Jail Christians, Officials Make Baseless Claims
Tupelo, MS - “We have videotape of the entire incident, the city has a videotape of the entire incident, the facts are before the nation, and the unimpeachable facts conclusively establish that this City is out of control.” – Brian Fahling, AFA Center for Law and Policy Senior Trial Attorney.
Philadelphia city officials now claim that a videotape of the events leading up to the arrests of 11 Christians does not reflect one of the Philly 11, Michael Marcavage, allegedly interrupting an onstage performance at the “Outfest” where the events took place.
City officials told the Philadelphia Inquirer that the video did not show the start of the confrontation, when they allege Marcavage tried to interrupt an onstage performance with his preaching. They maintain that he then disobeyed a police order to move to the perimeter of the "block party" to avoid the potential for violence.
AFA senior trial attorney, Brian Fahling, called the claim “absurd,” saying, “the videotape made by the independent film company out of San Francisco (Enough Said Productions) is complete and the city knows it. We have videotape of the entire incident, the city has a videotape of the entire incident (taken by a police officer), the truth is before the nation; and the unimpeachable facts conclusively establish that the City of Philadelphia is utterly out of control.”
“The good news is that the videotape speaks for itself; neither the city nor the state or federal courts can change the truth seen in that video,” said Tim Wildmon, president of the American Family Association. “This case is historic for all the wrong reasons and we will not idly stand by to watch this unprecedented persecution of Christians.”
The Christians were arrested on October 10 for praying, singing, and reading scripture during an annual “gay pride” event known as “Outfest” in Philadelphia. Tuesday a city prosecutor argued to a judge that Bible verses are “fighting” words. The charges include three felony (criminal conspiracy, ethnic intimidation, and riot) and five misdemeanor charges. If convicted, they could face up to 47 years in prison.
It sure looks that way.
Philly 11 latest news ping!
Not exactly unprecedented, but definitely over the top. Filthadelphia needs a good Freep.
Maybe unprecedented in the United States...
Could you imagine the 'national outcry' if a bunch of Homosexuals were arrested in Alabama while protesting?
There would be wall to wall coverage by the media, national protests, and congress holding hearings. Funny how aside from FR I don't recall reading anything about the Christians being arrested.
Gee - here everyone used to say that homosexuality was a 'victimless crime'. And yet some face 47 years in federal prison for even daring to speak out against?
in Philadelphia. Tuesday a city prosecutor argued to a judge that Bible verses are “fighting” words
The Bible says "they shall call Good, Evil..and Evil, Good."
Who will freep it? probably end up with a felony conviction no matter how courteous you are to the cops. This isnt just a casual happening its the beginning of a police state.
And you won't....at least until it is more socially acceptable to can Christians. But by then, it'll be too late.
Maybe.
Probably.
Say;....
1) Fagadelphia............
2) Queeradelphia..........
3) Buggeradelphia.........
4) Wanckeradelphia........
5) Atheistadelphia........
6) Satanadelphia..........
Mebbe;....
7) Assholadephia.... -or- Crotchadelphia..
The libs want a police state. That is the only way they can get their agenda into full operation. Listen to the charges the left brings up against conservatives and you will hear what they have in mind...Going to the right leads back to the US Constitution, going left leads to National Socialism and Communism.
There are federal statutes making it criminal to use the color of law to infringe on a person's civil rights.
I'm not a lawyer but this certainly appears to be a case where Philadelphia is using its state power to suppress free speech. I believe the penalty is 10 years in federal prison, plus the officials are stripped of sovereign immunity so they can be personally sued in civil court.
Watching the prosecutor, judge and cops doing a "perp" walk into federal court would send a strong message to the blue city fascists.
I do believe your on the right track...
Moral Absolutes Ping. More on the "Bible as Hate Speech and an Instrument of Crime" in the City of Brotherly Love.
Note:
Due to a personal difficutly, I won't be pinging the list for a week or so. :-(
If anyone wants ON/OFF/BACK ON this list, freepmail me!
Also, if anyone wants to do any Moral Abolute pinging, freepmail me, or if you find good articles.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I went to Filthadelphia a couple weeks ago with hubby, to have dinner in China Town. When we got back to the car, there was a $300 ticket on the windshield for parking in a handicapped spot. At first I thought it was an advertising flier. It couldn't be a ticket. We still had time left on the meter. There was no street light, and it was a rather dark area. After getting in the car and discovering it was a ticket, we got back out. We looked all around for a handicap sign. None on the road. None on the curb. None on the parking meter. Finally I looked straight up, and way up in the air there was a sign that said during certain hours (including the time we'd paid for) parking is free. Above that was a tiny little sign with tiny little print that said it was a handicap spot. There was no recognizable wheelchair symbol. They've got one heck of a scam going. We decided not to fight it, as we'd certainly lose. We paid the ticket and decided to avoid Filthadelphia as much as possible.
Filthadelphia.
47 years for praying and reading the Bible? Isn't that just a tad harsh?
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