Replies

Do you know if legally just one person can file a complaint against the state that a bill is unconstitutional? I don't see where we should have to have 100's of people to make a case - just like in law, all it should take is one person filing a motion, and the point is made

Sure you could do it - in theory. In practice the costs would eat you up and without a groundswell of support behind you the case would go nowhere. In real life you need lots of people to make things happen.

....do you know law?

I'm not an attorney if that's what you mean.

"Gee, everybody's so quick to say they'll fight when the Constitution will be taken away ...." Let's put our action where our mouth is.

You're going to find your biggest problem will be getting support from people who talk the talk but don't walk the walk.

See what you can get from Jay Seculo and the ACLJ. Do your homework on the entire subject. See what can and cannot be done. See what's possible and what's not possible. Get facts, facts, and more facts. Find support wherever you can, both in your local area and on the net. If you're determined to commit yourself to this project then realize that it will take time.

Fighting city hall has never been easy, but then who said freedom came easy?

LETTER TO BE MAILED THURSDAY:

July 31, 2003

American Center for Law and Justice
PO Box 64429
Virginia Beach, VA 23467

RE: Ethnic Intimidation, PA House Bill 1493 passed 12/3/02

Good-day,

Thank you for your great and necessary work.

Would you please let me know via phone message or email if your organization is familiar with the "Ethnic Intimidation" Pennsylvania House Bill 1493 that passed Dec. 3, 2002? If so, has any action been taken or is planned to help remedy this loss of the Constitutional rights to freedom of speech and freedom of practicing religion?

I've enclosed a hardcopy of the text of the bill from a conservative news/chat website where I reported it (I am "bets"). This bill in essence makes it illegal to preach or read scriptures from the Bible (as in give a sermon from the pulpit) against homosexuality: "harassment by communication or address…motivated by hatred toward…sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity…"

And I found out that many of my Christian friends in PA tried to stop this from passing, but couldn't, and now are at a loss as to how to proceed to get their Constitutional rights back. This is why I contacted your organization: for either your suggestions or your action. If a state or federal bill is unConstitutional, then it shouldn't take more than one citizen to file an action against it, right? How does one do that, or could you do that (or already started?).

This is the first U.S. state where I've heard that they've actually outlawed the preaching of parts of the Bible. I read a book once where a pastor in CA fought against this years ago, and won. But here it is now in force in PA (my old home state). I have an older brother in PA who is a minister, and this is very important not just for that reason, but for the sake of this not becoming a precedent for other states.

I appreciate your time and response in this Constitutional matter of freedom of religion and speech.