Posted on 02/17/2005 3:23:44 PM PST by NormsRevenge
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A judge dismissed all charges Thursday against four members of a conservative Christian group who were arrested last fall while picketing a street festival for gays.
After watching video footage of the event, Common Pleas Judge Pamela Dembe said that while the protesters' message that homosexuality is a sin clearly enraged the crowd, the bullhorn-wielding demonstrators did not incite violence.
"We are one of the very few countries that protect unpopular speech. And that means that Nazis can March in Skokie, Ill. ... That means that the Ku Klux Klan can march where they wish to," Dembe said. "We cannot stifle speech because we don't want to hear it, or we don't want to hear it now."
The demonstrators, affiliated with a group called Repent America, had faced a variety of charges, including riot, conspiracy and ethnic intimidation, Pennsylvania's version of a hate crime. Prosecutors had said the activists, led by Repent America founder Michael Marcavage, were trying to incite the crowd.
The arrests had split gay-rights advocates. Some had felt that charging the protesters with hate crimes was excessive.
"We're just thrilled that Judge Dembe again reminded us how valuable the First Amendment is," Marcavage said.
Good. Although I don't always agree with the methods and things said by certain protest groups and I never agree with groups like the KKK, I do agree with what this judge said about the protection of unpopular or politically incorrect speech.
It's a two-way street--if homosexuals want free speech, their opponents have it, too. If pro-abortion people want the right to march and yell for their ideas, then pro-lifers can, too.
Must be a republican appointee. Anyone know?
GLAD TO HEAR! YIPPPEEE!
The charges HAD to be dropped. They sure had a right to free speech.
Depends who does it. If it's Byrd, no problem.
"We are one of the very few countries that protect unpopular speech. And that means that Nazis can March in Skokie, Ill. ... That means that the Ku Klux Klan can march where they wish to," Dembe said. "We cannot stifle speech because we don't want to hear it, or we don't want to hear it now."
Not sure having your position compared to the position of the Klan is anything to crow about, and I believe that the judge ruled the only way they could have without eventually being overturned for what was clearly a politically trumped up charge which favored one group over another.
This is great news.
Did not realize this was the same judge involved with Mumia.
Judge Pamela Dembe http://www.iacenter.org/maj_restodembe3.htm
Glad to hear it.. although I'd rather compare the pro-gay groups with the KKK and Nazis...they are closer to comparison..
she
Common Pleas Judge Pamela Dembe
Are you sure she is liberal? She ruled against new trial for Mumia. I think the socialist hate her, so......
"Nazis can March in Skokie, Ill. ... That means that the Ku Klux Klan can march where they wish to"
Compare Christians to nazis & the Klan?
Hardly a republican or conservative judge - she is simply a leftist judge who is in dire fear of continuing to promote her socialist and communist agenda on a nation of patriots.
"If you want peace, you prepare for war"
Its just a matter of time until we follow the example of Europe and Canada and start arresting and fining people for un-PC speech.
Oh, my. A Judge with a brain and an upright heart!
What a rare treat. God bless him for providing the answer to prayer that will shield that city in some part from the God of wrath whose Commandments are in evidence in the US Supreme Court.
I'll check to see if she is a Dummie or a Pub. Thanks for the feedback though, It got me thinking.
Why don't you think women can be judges? Judge PAMELA Danbe.
Well, Pamela has my kudos! Perhaps you would have been happier if I had said women have better brains?
I don't give a hoot whether they are male or female, I just don't pay attention to sexism attitudes. You apparently do.
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