Posted on 01/04/2005 2:54:45 PM PST by St. Johann Tetzel
'Philly 4' Case Hits Prime Time with O'Reilly
Attorney for Christians Calls Incident Clear Case of 'Anti-Christian Bigotry'
By Ed Thomas and Jody Brown
January 4, 2005
(AgapePress) - The right of Christians to assemble and preach the gospel in public is under examination in Philadelphia. Four of the eleven Christians who preached at the "gay pride" event "Outfest" in early October -- all of whom were arrested -- are now facing prison time of up to 47 years.
The "Philadelphia Four", as they have come to known, are facing felony charges -- and are accused of using "fighting words" -- for preaching against homosexuality. Video footage of the group's appearance at the pro-homosexual event shows Christian activist Michael Marcavage, founder of the Philly-based group Repent America, with a bullhorn attempting to sing and speak the gospel. He is accompanied by several other Christians.
The video also shows the "Pink Angels," a group of homosexual activists, using 10-foot tall Styrofoam boards, surrounding the Christians as they blocked the group's signs, impeded their movement, and prevented people from seeing them. None of the homosexual activists was arrested, cited, or warned for their actions.
Speaking on the Fox New program O'Reilly Factor on Monday night (January 3), an attorney for the four Christian activists said one of the issues in the case is an abuse of power by authorities in the City of Brotherly Love.
Brian Fahling
"Now, when you speak in the public square -- at least in Philadelphia -- you will be sent to prison, if they have anything to say about it," said Brian Fahling, an attorney with the American Family Association's Center for Law & Policy. "That's frightening, that's chilling -- and every American ought to be astonished, stunned, and outraged that this is happening in Philadelphia."
Fahling said all his clients were doing was "peacefully evangelizing" -- and that they were doing "what every evangelist does -- and that's bring the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who don't know Christ. There's no crime in that." His group calls the incident "the clearest example of anti-Christian bigotry by city officials in the last century."
Also appearing on the Fox News segment was Outfest legal advisor Charles Volz. The felony charges of criminal conspiracy, ethnic intimidation, and inciting a riot seemed to be echoed in his accusations of the 11 Christian activists who were originally arrested.
"I think we've got to draw a line between where is freedom of speech and where is it 'fighting words,'" Volz said.
The AFA attorney implied much is at stake in the case. "Forty-seven years in prison for preaching the gospel?" he asked. "This is a historic case. This is the natural evolution of the systematic removal of the symbols of Christianity from the public square."
According to Volz, the eleven Christians were arrested in October not for preaching the gospel, but for refusing to abide by the rules established by local law enforcement authorities. He stated he did not expect the maximum sentence to be handed down. "They might get six to twelve months probation," he said. "Nobody's going to jail for 47 years."
Fahling says his group is planning to ask for an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice into the case.
? 2005 AgapePress all rights reserved.
ping
I wouldn't be so sure about that.
Someone help me out here -- isn't the "crime" in this case pretty much what the ProtestWarriors do when they wade into anti-American demonstrations with their pro-American message? If I join one of those PW counter-demonstration, am I risking a felony conviction and jail time for upsetting the enemies of America?
Excerpt:
"Now, when you speak in the public square -- at least in Philadelphia -- you will be sent to prison, if they have anything to say about it," said Brian Fahling, an attorney with the American Family Association's Center for Law & Policy. "That's frightening, that's chilling -- and every American ought to be astonished, stunned, and outraged that this is happening in Philadelphia."
If you want on/off the list let me know.
Ping.
Have you been keeping up with this?
Define "fighting words" for a sodomite.
Is accusing them of being normal, chaste or decent considered "fighting words"?
Can I go to prison for telling them their shoes are out of style or that their rendition of "Over the Rainbow" sounds nothing like Judy Garland? Will I be brought up on charges for telling one that he looks fat or that "Will and Grace" is unwatchable crap?
Please, tell us backward, Godfearing yokels what we can or cannot say to our faggot masters.
ping
Why not go to the site and watch the video, then you'll see and hear the arresting cop throw the EVIL Christians in the paddy wagon.
Here's the District Attorney's info..she's a Dem and close with Rendell. This city is so corrupt. I haven't been following the story but drug dealer roam free, so FReep away if you want to.
DA_WEBMAIL@phila.gov
Lynne Abraham
District Attorney
District Attorney´s Office, 1421 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102-1507
phone: 215-686-8000 fax: 215-563-0047
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
Bravo! But, did the Inquirer have the guts to publish it?
IMHO, the "Philly Four" are very fortunate the Philly PD didn't drop a bomb on them from a police helicopter..
The arresting cop was some old crusty guy. I watched the video, McCarvage and the group did absolutely nothing to warrant an arrest. The intimidators were the pink angels if there were any.
poing
Honestly what is different between the blue states and the USSR?
Pyro7480 has been pinging Nightshift & myself to the Philly situation but I'd like to be added to your ping list for the agenda as well.
Thanks!
No - but I am not giving up yet...
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