Posted on 02/17/2005 9:55:43 AM PST by 26lemoncharlie
TESTING THE FAITH Judge drops all charges against Philly Christians Adults who evangelized at homosexual event vindicated, teen girl likely off hook tomorrow
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted: February 17, 2005 12:33 p.m. Eastern
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com
In what is being hailed as a victory for free speech, a judge in Philadelphia today dismissed all criminal charges against four Christians who were arrested for evangelizing at an outdoor homosexual event.
Judge Pamela Dembe of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas dismissed the charges, saying that she found no basis whatsoever for any of them.
"We are one of the very few countries that protects unpopular speech," Dembe said after viewing a videotape of the arrests. As WorldNetDaily reported, on Oct. 10, a group of 11 Christians was "preaching God's Word" to a crowd of people attending the Philadelphia "OutFest" event and displaying banners with biblical messages.
After a confrontation with a group called the Pink Angels, described by protesters as "a militant mob of homosexuals," the Christians were arrested and spent a night in jail.
Eight charges were filed: criminal conspiracy, possession of instruments of crime, reckless endangerment of another person, ethnic intimidation, riot, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct and obstructing highways.
None of the Pink Angels was cited or arrested.
After a preliminary hearing in December, Judge William Austin Meehan ordered four of the Christians to stand trial on three felony and five misdemeanor charges. If convicted, each could have received a maximum of 47 years in prison. One female teenage protester faces charges in the juvenile justice system, but those charges likely will be dropped tomorrow.
"The judge saw this case for what it is," Joe Infranco, senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said in a statement. "This was the right response to an outrageous abuse of power to silence speech that some people didn't like.
"What took place here was a government crackdown on disfavored speech. The OutFest participants staged a national coming-out day on a public street using public funds, and then they tried to say it's a private event. That didn't make any sense, and neither did the actions of the police. …"
Dembe is the judge who last month removed the bail requirement that the defendants stay at least 100 feet away from any homosexual gathering.
I think her exact words had Christians compared with Nazis and the KKK. I definitely think we ought to take a second look at what she just said. First Amendment or not. This is insulting.
Thanks for the ping.
This is what happened with the Texas Sodomy Law. European interpretation was used in that instance. Our Dupremes regularly met with the European Deans of LAw to Comisserate on the interpretation of the Laws. This is against the US CONSTITUTION for them to do. As you state the US Laws are to be Interpreted according to our Constitution and US Meaning and Understanding of the OUR Laws. Some food for thought for you:
The Hate Crimes Laws are nothing more than the implementation of the Values set forth in the European Socialist Manefesto. They undermine our Gurantee of Freedom of Speech by the Constitution. The Hate Crimes were put into law to do just that. We have the right to Hate just as we have the right to Love. The Constitution of the United States is slowly but surely being replaced with the Socialist Version of the European Constitution, read it for yourself:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1318061/posts?page=6#6
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1318038/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1318034/posts
http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=view&id=954
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1254190/posts
Now the next step is to make sure the DA that brought these charges loses his job.
ALSO
Judge William Austin Meehan, who ordered four of the Christians to stand trial on three felony and five misdemeanor charges.
"I think her exact words had Christians compared with Nazis and the KKK. I definitely think we ought to take a second look at what she just said. First Amendment or not. This is insulting."
Yep, it could easily be viewed that way. After I read it, I had to stop and re-read it because I was unclear of what she had just stated. It definitely rubbed me the wrong way. I would love to hear her explain what she meant. I don`t think we will get that from her though.
Easier said than done. Pinging someone who has been trying to do just that for years now. The DA is a she, by the way.
--Boot Hill
Great! Now they have grounds to SUE!!!!!
ping
Yes, they dislike Christians. They dislike Clinton protestors. They dislike pro-lifers. They dislike conservatives. They dislike most Republicans (except for those like Judge Meehan, who are part of the ONR party machine in Philadelphia).
You should have heard how the ADA went after Don Adams in the courtroom. And LYNNE ABRAHAM withheld exonerating evidence and witnesses so they could NOT be called at trial.
Lynne Abraham is VERY, VERY vindictive. She is also RELENTLESS.
BTTT
She is running for re-election a 4th time.
LYNNE ABRAHAM FACES A PRIMARY CHALLENGE
WHO WOULD LIKE TO HELP DEFEAT HER?????????????????
Please see post 134!!!!!!!!!!!
Phone Directory Main Page
Jump to Page:1
Department: COURT SYSTEM
Last Name First Name Unit Name Phone Number
MEEHAN, JR WILLIAM AUSTIN JUDGE WILLIAM AUSTIN MEEHAN, J 683-7211
Oh, thank GOD. It shocked me to the core, to even hear of such an outlandish, demonic, nazi--type set of charges, against a group of decent people. To think, that they faced the possibility of MORE time, than KILLERS, or CHILD MOLESTERS. In just 20 or 25 years or so, this countries judicial; system has gone from protecting the REAL victims of crime, to punishing those who do not fit the "new" morality. NOW... those dear souls can rest easy, knowing the God almighty has delivered them from the hands of evil.
AND-- YES, I think some heads should roll for this. The judge who issued the original charges should go, as should ANYONE involved in the whole affair, of trying to stop thiose Christians from exercising free speech.
ME!!!!!!!
DITCH THE BITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A man 3000 years ahead of his time, obviously.
"Glad to see that Philadelphia has one courageous judge who is on the side of the angels."
I spent a few days in Philly this winter. I sensed from the radio talk shows and commercials that a spiritual battle is going on there.
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