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.
We need to challenge the Philly hate crimes laws. We need to petition for a "Sodomy-is-an-Abomination" rally in Philadelphia, and see if it will be permitted. If not, then we remove the veil. Conservative legal groups can sue, and that is just the beginning of what will happen there. Checkmate.
You might try later, like after the football season is over.
Related thread....
Philly Inquirer:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1321326/posts?page=1
"...Here's what should have happened next: a fine for disorderly conduct or other misdemeanor for those who did the most to disobey police. Instead, city prosecutors came up with a silly, public-enemy list of felony charges and lesser infractions. Bingo: martyrs-to-a-cause born..."
"...Out of the hundreds of 2000 Republican National Convention protesters charged with crimes, the overwhelming majority eventually were cleared. In fact, the last of those protesters were acquitted only a week or so after the Outfest arrests. Even if Abraham hopes to polish her tough-on-crime image, engaging in overkill with felony charges against street protesters is no way to go..."
The kool thing is, your efforts are recorded, both in the FR and at my small news talk site. Soon, if the Good Lord wills it, there will be people with news letters, reading your posts.
Regarding the future, you don't have to be a one-trick pony. You have countless options to consider. You were told 'no' three times. You don't need Rush, anyway. He needs people like us, actually.
I'm thinking Savage might be a good one to talk with. This is right up his alley. Also, where I live just happens to be near Lynchburg, Jerry Falwell's town. And, I live in Congressman Goode's district. So there are plenty of options for both of us.
Something I'm beginning to believe: Getting the word out, for almost all of us, is more like piecing a puzzle together than attempting an all-out frontal attack. It's a matter of timing and ideal 'locations', fitting a loose plan together, step-by-step, and keeping an eye out for contingencies.
Related link:
Despite Temporary Stay, Judge Orders Bible Removed
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/132005g.asp ^ | January 13, 2005 | By Allie Martin
Posted on 01/16/2005 10:32:04 AM PST by davidosborne
Despite Temporary Stay, Judge Orders Bible Removed
By Allie Martin January 13, 2005
(AgapePress) - A Bible has been removed from a display on the grounds of a Texas courthouse after an appeals court lifted an order that had kept the Bible in place. The head of a Christian group in the Lone Star State the action should outrage followers of Christ across the nation. [snip]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1321946/posts
Non-violent pro-life protest at abortuary in Pittsburgh. We didn't harm the pro-aborts.
Yes it should be allowed, because freedom of speech and movement and assembly are more important than a prevent defense against violence.
Violence should be prosecuted, not speech or assembly.
Being that you crashed their demonstration, it sounds like you were fortunate that they had enough self restraint to allow you interfere without “harming” you.
Maybe you’d feel differently if you saw one of your own lose it and harm a “pro-abort pervert” carrying a bull horn through your protest. If that wouldn’t be enough to make you understand, maybe a larger, more equal and better armed clash over the same demonstration space would do the trick.
The “Christian” who refused to stay in his area did not have his freedom of speech violated any more than if the had been black he would have had his freedom to be black violated. He simply disrespected the law that keeps opposition protests separated and allows little girls a voice without arming themselves for probable battle first.
Opposition forces are kept apart for the same reason that the families of victims are not allowed to bring their weapons into court. The first is no more of a violation of the first amendment than the second is of the second. Both stem from a recognition that circumstances for violence are greatly enhanced so we empower the police with the authority to impose the minimal amount of restraint to keep order without any practical violation of anyone’s rights.
But some people are really just looking for trouble while pretending and hiding behind their freedom of speech. They probably don’t get how easy they are to spot. Like all criminals, they probably think they’re smarter than everyone else. If they don’t learn, they have to be arrested.
No, they crashed our demonstration in the times I was thinking of. I think we only crashed them once. We stood on the sidelines and shouted and waved placards at them. But nothing happened.
Diversity/tolerance crowd shows its true face.
In Sweden for the same crime a pastor was sentenced only for one month in prison.
This is correct. Rush Limbaugh's job is to shill the Republican party line. No more nor less.
Keep us posted and keep up the good work.
Thank you for the link.
I've been haunted by your post on 103, about a petition by homosexual prosecutors. Do you remember anything about it? The homosexual agenda is really ticking me off lately.
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