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.
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."
HOORAY!!!!!! I am glad Judge Dembe's FIRST allegiance is to the FIRST AMENDMENT and NOT to District Attorney Lynne Abraham.
Counter suit and stick-it-to-em-good...
Exactly!
She charged the victim of a vicious assault, who she KNEW was innocent, and had him stand trial. She then lied about what she did publicly on many occasions and also to the WALL STREET JOURNAL.
And let us NOT forget it.
It was DISGRACEFUL!
I hope they SUE and SUE them GOOD. This can NEVER happen again in the city where the constitution was ratified and signed.
I hope they SUE and SUE them GOOD. This can NEVER happen again in the city where the constitution was ratified and signed.
Praise be!
THIS is an example of a victory for free speech, not some of the things that "they" claim...
Dismissal is good, but where is the apology? There should be an apology.
Absolutely not. Neither forgive nor forget. FReepers in PA and other states should henceforth use every legal means to remove LYNNE ABRAHAM from office at the earliest opportunity.
"Unpopular speech" covers any form of speech that is disagreeable to someone - and is a broader form of what many on this forum have said. While the phrase seems odd, I believe it is entirely correct. Just my $.02;-)
SANITY BUMP!!!!
PINGING GOOD NEWS!!!!!!
Thank you. I think so too!
Thank you. I think so too!
I like to say things twice, LOL! That way it sticks.
Praise the Lord!
They need to sue the people who made these false claims. This is the only way to get justice legally. The left wants to enact hate crime laws so they can restrict free speech - we must be vigliant and supportive of the courageous individuals willing to sacrifice all to challenge these obvious unconstitutional laws.
Ping
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