Posted on 01/14/2005 4:46:36 AM PST by Arthur Wildfire! March
SPECIAL REPORT [Intermediate Draft-- looking for input]
In Philadelphia, once known as the City of Brotherly Love, eleven Christian protesters were arrested on October 10, 2004, when they paid a homosexual 'block party' a little visit, wielding bullhorns and Bibles, and singing Christian hymns. Leader of 'the Philadelphia Four', as the press is calling it, is Michael Marcavage, who spent a night in jail, along with 10 other protesters. Marcavage is actually leader of a group called Repent America. He is a Christian who may get as many as 47 years in prison for daring to preach to homosexuals, as reported by the Washington Times, Newsmax, WorldNetDaily, local papers in the Philadelphia area, and in several other places.
Here, in South Boston, VA, people are shocked and incredulous that Christians may be thrown in jail for 47 years due to exercising their religion, the South Boston Phoenix has learned [it wasn't hard to find that out, I can tell you]. Repent America is a group of Christians who are no strangers to getting in trouble with the law for preaching, but this time, they got our attention.
The most 'in depth' reporting on this can be found at WorldNetDaily.
True to form, WorldNetDaily made a report just yesterday, "Motion filed for Philadelphia protesters"
"One of the attorneys for the Christian protesters who are criminally charged for evangelizing at an outdoor homosexual event in Philadelphia has renewed an appeal in federal court, citing the Supreme Court statement "Speech cannot be ... punished or banned simply because it might offend a hostile mob." [forced self to snip]
In an earlier report, WorldNetDaily interviewed Mike Shaw, a cameraman who was there.
Mr. Shaw was not a member of Repent America, but the police thought he was "one of them", so they took 'appropriate steps' against that 'nasty Christian'.
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[WorldNetDaily]
..."I had one foot in the paddy wagon," he said. "They were making me take my camera and headphones off" before finally being given a reprieve. The filmmaker said he was surprised the protesters were charged with so many criminal counts. "I've seen a lot of people from where we're from do a lot worse things and get in a lot less trouble," he said. "Everyone thought they'd just get a slap on the wrist."...[forced self to snip]
Link to the WorldNetDaily Report
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What saved Mike Shaw from arrest was when he convinced them he lived in San Fransisco. That's OK then, they decided. Now his film of the sinister Christian preaching outrage can be linked to at that web site.
Also in their report, WorldNetDaily wrote,
'Shaw says he sees the arrest as a "Christian Rodney King."'
Here is a quote from the Washington Times regarding the Philadelphia Four:
Christians face hearing in felonies at gay rights event
By Joyce Howard Price
"Four Christian activists face arraignment ... in Philadelphia on felony charges in what they describe as their "peaceful protest" of a homosexual rights event last fall. The defendants, all members of an evangelical Christian group called Repent America, "exercised their First Amendment rights by preaching the Gospel, and they did it peacefully," said Brian Fahling, an attorney for the American Family Association, who is representing them... [snip]
Link to Washington Times Report
[The Washington Times also reports that the Philadelphia Four may possibly serve as long as 47 years in prison on felony counts.]
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The key word in this entire fiasco is "ethnic intimidation". It is a hate crime law, reports the Washington Times, which quoted Mr. Fahling, who said it was "the most profound abuse of power I've ever seen."
Robert Knight had strong words on this subject. He's director of the Culture and Family Institute. "Even if Repent America infringed on the law, they don't deserve three felony counts totaling 47 years in jail," and said it was "frightening to see religious persecution on American soil, especially in the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence." [Washington Times quote]
Philadelphia was so delighted with Outfest, that they contributed $22,000 of city funds, tax payer money, to help the sodomites along with their 'get together' on an allegedly "public" street. Oh, and they also had 'extremely large signs' that I suppose intimidated the girly men.
The police ordered the Christians to move where they would not disrupt this 'illustrious, gay-la' event. The Christians stood up to 500 angry sodomites and the shouted warnings of police officers. Now, some of these Christians face up to 47 years in prison! IN AMERICA! FOR PREACHING!
One of the charges was "possessing an instrument of crime - presumably the bullhorn," wrote the Washington Times. I wonder if the real instrument of crime was the Bible?
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I took snips to use as a sounding board, found at Delcotimes.com [a local Philly paper], copyrighted by the Daily Times. [My remarks in brackets] Saint or sinner?Court to rule on religious activist, by JASON McKEE, newsroom@delcotimes.com, 1/12/2005:
"Michael Marcavage, 25, of Lansdowne, will be in court today to answer to felony charges of riot, ethnic intimidation (the ethnicity being homosexuality, per state law) and conspiracy..."[CONSPIRED TO READ THE BIBLE!], in addition to several misdemeanor charges. Police have had numerous 'run ins' with the man [HE IS INDEED A MAN!] and, according to one arrest report, found him to be more troublemaker than activist. [THE BIBLE IS TROUBLING, ALL RIGHT.]
Eventually, Marcavage was arrested and hauled away from the party. [A SODOMITE PARTY IN A PUBLIC STREET. THEY SURE KNOW HOW TO HAVE A GOOD TIME IN PHILADELPHIA. A WHOLE NEW MEANING TO 'BROTHERLY LOVE'.]
"This has to do with the content of our message," Marcavage said. "We’re being maliciously prosecuted by an anti-Christian, Lynne Abraham."
[I like that term, "anti-Christian". ] Cathie Abookire, spokeswoman for the district attorney, said the office had no comment other than to say everyone’s rights must be protected. [EVERYONE BUT CHRISTIANS!]
One condition of Marcavage’s bail is that he stay at least 100 feet from homosexual events. [He's now officially a sub-citizen. But in truth, all Christians are already sub-citizens whether we realize it or not.]
"I don’t even know what it means," he said. "It’s ambiguous. Does it mean I’m not allowed to be near gay people?" [He uses the word 'gay'. He's liberal compared to me. Perhaps he should bow with his eyes toward the ground when a sodomite walks past him. I suppose two men, reeking of feces, walking hand-in-hand, would be considered a homosexual event. He better be careful then, when shopping. People notice such 'events' all the time.]
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There is a quote in that report worth remembering:
"When someone is speaking, if the crowd does not like it and there is a threat of violence, you don’t suppress the speech -- you control the crowd," Fahling, an AFA lawyer, said. "The First Amendment serves its highest purpose when people are stirred to anger." [WELL SAID!]
C. Scott Shields, who is representing him in multiple cases, said, "This case is unprecedented. This is the first time the Bible has formed the evidentiary basis for a hate crime. The authorities consider the Bible hate speech."
Here are remarks from the greatest think-tank in the world, the trail blazing forum, freerepublic.com:
[some posts will be added]
...
...
South Boston is not taking this sitting down. Residents of South Boston tell me, if the outcome is not to leave the Christians alone, they will be starting up a petition drive here in South Boston. The petition will include three statements:
1. A threat to boycott Philadelphia products.
2. A plea for the promise to pardon any Christian in legal trouble for reading the Bible or preaching.
3. A demand that the US House of Representatives declare Philadelphia to be no longer the city of Brotherly Love, but rather, "the Armpit of America", at my suggestion.
The South Boston Phoenix will open a post office box ASAP, and encourage any petitioners to mail there.
You can also contact the AFA, a support group of the Philadelphia Four at the following web page:
Quick Load Page for latest in the news.
Like I said before, I am with them in spirit. We must all repent. I hold the law in contempt. While I don't appreciate loud, vulgar rap music blaring at me, this is not the way to curb that. Best I can tell, hate crime laws are focused primarilly at Christians, using 'race' as a wedge to divide Christians. Nor do I have more respect for people who might turn violent than people who have something to say. FReegards....
I tried the link at the post you showed me several times. It appears to have been modified, if I'm not mistaken. Was part of it retracted? Was it confirmed anywhere?
It's creepy to think our neighbors up north are barred from speaking as openly as we can. It reminds me of how the Soviets kept telling us lies about how 'wonderful' their country was.
LMAO. They recently falsely reported that Kid Rock was to play at an Inaugural Party and then was dis-invited. KR was never invited at all.
Thank you for the post. Which news, BTW, do you trust?
Trust? I do not trust any of them to be completely correct or honest. Every media outlet has an agenda and a slant. No human is without an agenda, therefore no media outlet will be run without one.
Regarding your post here, that prosecutor appears to be some piece of work.
Well said. That is why multiple sources is always better, if possible. Even better would be sources with opposing viewpoints [not always possible, though].
Thank you for the info. FReegards....
Yer welcome. WND is still worth a read, they break some interesting stuff, but I always like to get some independent confirmation of what they've written.
I noticed that 'acquitted' was on the web site address and not in the report. Other key words were missing. It appeared they had to change their report. This could help explain why this entire matter has cooled down for a while. Are people in confusion about what's actually going on? FReegards....
When I scan down it, I don't bother checking some of the stuff. But I don't think they make up quotes, or anything like that. FReegards....
Oh and thanks to your input and others, I have them in better perspective. Thank you again.
Hey, that's what FR is for. All of us is smarter than any one of us - although any one of us is smarter than all of DU.
"...although any one of us is smarter than all of DU..."
ROFL
According to what I have seen the video posted on their website has been edited to remove the more flagrant violations. Regardless, when they violated a police order to move they were subject to arrest.
Sure seems like it. TAdams has posted that she is very liberal and it shows in the way Philly prosecutes and "doesn't" prosecute cases.
Yep, them crazy Christians actually used their first amendment rights, how dare them.
What a CrAzY PoSt DaVY.
Obviously, some level of discouragement should be created, especially for repeat offenders. But this stuff is petty compared to people serving time in prison. They aren't crack dealers. They aren't muggers. They aren't armed robbers. They aren't burglars. They aren't even shoplifters, for goodness sake! Most shoplifters don't go to prison. This is worse than martial law-- it's targeted.
When Christians have anti-homosexual rallies there, and I foresee this coming, how will the homosexual rally-crashers be treated? They will most likely petition to attend, and their petition will be granted. Not to mention, would an anti-homosexual rally even be permitted by law there, when they have hate crimes laws?
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