Posted on 02/18/2005 1:29:16 PM PST by freespirited
Charges against four of five Christian demonstrators who were arrested after protesting a homosexual celebration called "OutFest" in Philadelphia, Pa., last year were dismissed Thursday, with charges against the fifth due to be dismissed shortly thereafter.
Eleven Christian protesters were arrested in October 2004 for peacefully preaching at the event. Four men and 17-year-old Lauren Murch were held for trial on criminal charges, which included "riot" and "ethnic intimidation." All five faced as many as 47 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
"We are pleased and relieved for our clients that justice has finally been done in the criminal system, and though it is apparently slow and rusty, the system still works," said Brian Fahling, senior trial attorney for the American Family Association Center for Law and Policy, in a press release.
Court of Common Pleas Judge Pamela Dembe dismissed the charges against the Christians on the grounds that prosecutors were not able to show criminal conduct. Dembe ruled instead that the protestors' actions are fully protected under the First Amendment.
"Judge Dembe clearly understands the First Amendment, and she commented that not even a prima-facie case was made out on any of the charges against any of the defendants," said Fahling.
"The city clearly continued to prosecute the Christians with a vengeance during the hearing with bad faith arguments, further demonstrating that the charges represent nothing more than an abuse of power," he said, noting that the prosecutor has indicated the city might appeal the dismissal.
"This ends only the first chapter in the 'Philadelphia 11' saga," Fahling said. "The next chapter is federal action against the officers and the city of Philadelphia. We are still calling for the Department of Justice to investigate the corruption and profound abuse of power that we have seen in Philadelphia."
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An appeal would be a waste of taxpayer's money, and make even more suspect the prosecutor's motives.
I think this is good that the charges were dropped. This just shows that the liberals intend to bring persecution against Christians to this country.
Good grief! Bet if the situation were reversed and the queers were out there protesting, they perverts would never see the inside of a courtroom.
Christians should turn this into their "Stonewall" incident so they can have Christian Pride parades.
"Court of Common Pleas Judge Pamela Dembe dismissed the charges against the Christians on the grounds that prosecutors were not able to show criminal conduct. Dembe ruled instead that the protestors' actions are fully protected under the First Amendment. "
She sounds like a potentially good Judge.
Sue him for malicious prosecution.
There was no case against them to begin with. The purpose of the arrest was solely to harass them.
This makes me wonder what in this prosecutor's life has given him such a poor disposition towards Christians.
Perhaps it is not so much a hatred for Christians, but a love for the homosexual lifestyle.
A full investigation could bring startling results!
They idiots don't get it.. if the rule of law was so eruded that a group of people hand no qualms killing people they didn't like... there are more of us than there are of them.
The rule of law is the only thing protecting them, they damn well better follow it or they're in trouble.
The idiots don't get it.. if the rule of law was so eruded that a group of people hand no qualms killing people they didn't like... there are more of us than there are of them.
The rule of law is the only thing protecting them, they damn well better follow it or they're in trouble.
"Court of Common Pleas Judge Pamela Dembe..."
Finally, a judge who understands the First Amendment.
How come nobody seems to want to know the names of the Philadelphia prosecuting attorney or the Pennsylvania Attorney General?
I wanna know whodunit!!
Cool.
The Philly District Atty is Lynn Abraham.
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