Judge: anti-gay activists permitted to demonstrate at gay events

Associated Press ^ | Jan. 22, 2005

[new cruelty]

PHILADELPHIA - Four members of a conservative Christian group may resume picketing gay-themed events in Philadelphia after a judge lifted a restriction that kept them away.

Common Pleas Court Judge Pamela Dembe called the restriction an unreasonable restraint on free speech.

"We cannot restrict people's right to speak or to be near those who might not wish to hear them into the future," Dembe said Friday.

Dembe overturned a ruling by Municipal Court Judge William A. Meehan against the demonstrators, who are affiliated with a local group called Repent America and who say their opposition to homosexuality is based on the Bible. Meehan had ordered the group to stay at least 100 feet away from any "homosexual event."

The defendants' attorney, C. Scott Shields, told Dembe that Meehan's order had effectively "muzzled" the his clients, "and that's unconstitutional as a prior restraint."

The activists still face a variety of charges, including felonies, in connection with their protest last fall at Outfest, a street festival for gays and lesbians in downtown Philadelphia.

However, after viewing a 22-minute videotape of the events leading to the defendants' arrest, Dembe indicated she might dismiss the entire case.

"It all amounted to annoyance on both sides, but it did not amount to criminal behavior that I can see," Dembe said.

Cathie Abookire, a spokeswoman for District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham, said the prosecution would proceed with the case. A pretrial hearing is scheduled next month, at which Dembe is to hear arguments on dismissing the charges.

The activists, led by Repent America founder Michael Marcavage of Lansdowne, say they are being prosecuted for voicing their religious belief that homosexuality is a sin.

Assistant District Attorney Charles Ehrlich said the criminal charges were based on the defendants' conduct, not what they said.

"Mr. Marcavage's conduct is to try to incite a crowd to cause a public disturbance ... whether it's from the Bible or somewhere else," Ehrlich said.

[StonyBurk]

Exactly what I have have declared for years now-- One
cannot be obediant to the "Great Commandment" :(Cannot)
"Love God" ,with all your heart ,soul and mind The first
"great commandment" and your "neighbor as thyself" (Matthew 22:35-40)and embrace/tolerate what Scripture does NOT.
God is NOT divided(Matthew 12:22-32)Neither should those called by the name of Christ be divided.We are many members but of the same body.And if thy hand offend thee ,cut it off.Tis better. . . '

[Ignatius J Reilly]

Some food for thought, here's the reaction by one person over at DU


Ok, you wanna play this way? How about gays picketing every rightwing religious meeting, march, church event, baptism, school function, to let them know they are coercing their children into a superstitious, harmful "lifestyle" that uses fantasy and magic as a crutch instead of dealing with the realities of life.

Religious rightwing "lifestyles" are very harmful to children and we should stop the indoctrination of American youth, and this judge has just given us the green light to do so.

[StonyBurk]

Do recall the so called "Lesbian Avengers" and the other
Reprobates pickiting a "Love Won Out "conterence that merley told the TRUTH abut that self and socially destructive lifestyle choice.They were out there beating their stupid drums and blowing their gay whistles -and cursing and making a specacle of themselves like the godless reprobates love to do and everybody but the "Already captured liberal establishment and the press" just ignored the ignoramuses.