Posted on 12/21/2004 6:46:51 AM PST by budanski
Eleven Christians were arrested on October 10 for praying, singing, and reading scriptures during an annual "gay pride" event known as "Outfest" in Philadelphia. Four out of the eleven were ordered on Tuesday, December 14 to stand trial because they were seen quoting scripture on a video. The charges include three felony (criminal conspiracy, ethnic intimidation, and riot) and five misdemeanor charges. If convicted, they could face up to 47 years in prison! The Philadelphia judge and prosecutor have labeled the Bible hate speech and called Bible verses "fighting words." The Pink Angels, homosexual activists, did everything they could to obstruct, impede, and frustrate the Christians from sharing the gospel in a public forum, yet no arrests or citations were placed on the Pink Angels.
This is the clearest example of anti-Christian bigotry by city officials in the last century!
How to silence a part of society
Dear Editor (of the Philly Inquirer),
A few days ago, a group of citizens (11 to be exact) were arrested on public property for peacefully talking and demonstrating.
And even though these 11 citizens were verbally abused, harassed and spat upon by a hostile crowd, they remained peaceful and fully cooperated with the police.
Yet they were charged with criminal conspiracy, possession of instruments of crime, reckless endangerment of another person, ethnic intimidation, riot, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct and obstructing highways.
They are facing up to 47 years in jail each.
Now, in any normal society, the major newspapers of that city would be up in arms over such reckless thrashing of the First Amendment. They would logically come to the conclusion that their entire business (and jobs) are based on the preservation of the First Amendment and any abuse that could be use to silence peaceful citizens could one day be used to silence them.
But that is not how the city of Philadelphia works.
First Amendment "privileges" are now reserved for those who agree with the social policies of the media and of City Hall. Disagreement brings marginality and arrest.
Because the "Philadelphia 11" were evangelical Christians at a homosexual festival.
Not even in the darkest days of "Jim Crow" laws have such power and venom been brought to bear to silence a part of society.
Oh yeah, and the "possession of instruments of crime" - that was a Bible. The "ethnic intimidation" - that is from the newest "victim" category of "sexual orientation" to Pennsylvania's hate crime law where now you can be arrested for talking about the Bible in the wrong company.
And all this happened within walking distance of where the US Constitution was written and signed.
Best Regards,
2banana
47!!! years in prison for exercising free speech rights. In the face of the bootheel of liberal fascism, the ACLU is nowhere to be found.
bump
You made a very important post! This MUST be dealt with. This WILL be dealt with! I'm TICKED OFF! You may think people don't care. People DO CARE! And Philadelphia is going to find out how much.
FReegards....
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