1/7/05
On October 4, 2004, there was an event
in Philadelphia known as Outfest.
It is sponsored by Philly Pride Presents which also sponsors PrideDay
and WinterPride.
They are occasions during which lesbian, gay, bi-sexual,
and transgender communities come together to celebrate.
Under the sponsorship of a group called Repent America several
Christians appeared near the event preaching, praying, and reading
scripture.
Their efforts were countered by a group known as The Pink Angels.
Supporters of the Christians say they were operating within their
constitutional right of free speech on public property and that it was
the Pink Angels who violated their rights.
Eleven of the Christians were arrested, but charges against 7 of then
were later dropped.
As of this writing, four of them are headed for trial on charges of
"criminal conspiracy, ethnic intimidation, and riot."
They have also been banned from doing evangelism within 100 yard of
any gay and lesbian event.
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PENNSYLVANIA CHRISTIANS FACE 47 YEARS IN
PRISON FOR READING THE BIBLE IN PUBLIC
Philadelphia charges Christians with hate
crimes, inciting a riot, and using a deadly weapon.
Bill O'Reilly reported on the situation on Fox News Channel.
Dear Daniel,
What we have been saying has now happened. You
cannot quote what the Bible has to say about homosexuality in
public or you will be charged with a "hate crime."
Philadelphia is only the beginning. If we fail to take a stand
here, this "crime" will soon be applied across
America.
In the 27 years of this ministry, I have never witnessed a more
outrageous miscarriage of justice than what is happening in
Philadelphia. Four Christians are facing up to 47-years in
prison and $90,000 in fines for preaching the Gospel on a public
sidewalk, a right fully protected by the First Amendment.
On October 10, 2004, the four Christians were arrested in
Philadelphia. They are part of Repent America. Along with
founder Michael Marcavage, members of Repent America—with
police approval--were preaching near Outfest, a
homosexual event, handing out Gospel literature and carrying
banners with Biblical messages.
When they tried to speak, they were surrounded by a group of
radical homosexual activists dubbed the Pink Angels. A
videotape of the incident shows the Pink Angels
interfering with the Christians’ movement on the street,
holding up large pink symbols of angels to cover up the
Christians' messages and blowing high pitched whistles to drown
out their preaching.
Rather than arrest the homosexual activists and allow the
Christians to exercise their First Amendment rights, the
Philadelphia police arrested and jailed the Christians!
They were charged with eight crimes, including three
felonies: possession of instruments of crime (a bullhorn),
ethnic intimidation (saying that homosexuality is a sin), and
inciting a riot (reading from the Bible some passages relating
to homosexuality) despite the fact that no riot occurred.
You may think I am exaggerating. I'm not. Our AFA Center
for Law and Policy is representing these four individuals at no
cost. We will take this case all the way to the Supreme Court if
necessary to get justice.
There is so much more about this case I don't have room for it
in this letter. We have prepared a 25-minute VHS/DVD in which
two AFA-CLP attorneys discuss the case in detail.
Please help us with our expenses in representing these committed
Christians. With your tax-deductible gift of $15, less than the
cost of a cup of coffee once a month for the next year, we will
send your choice of either the VHS or DVD. Watch the VHS/DVD,
then share it with your Sunday school class and church. This
VHS/DVD should be required viewing in every church in America.
Thanks for caring enough to get involved. We must
not allow this travesty of justice to continue.
Sincerely,
Don
Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman
American Family Association
P.S. Please forward this to family and
friends.
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