I’m not a regular WND reader but I have to give them credit for keeping up with several issues that are important, in this case, the Philly 11. In 2004, eleven Christians chose to protest at the Philadelphia OutFest event. Personally, I think that kind of thing is a waste of time, but they were fully within their rights to do so. They were hauled to jail and charged with a variety of felonies and misdemeanors, including a hate crime. Ethnic intimidation, because apparently many citizens or immigrants from the country of Homosexuality were at OutFest. Oh, never mind, ethnic no longer means from a particular region (i.e. Polish people) or from a particular race (i.e. black) it now includes behavioral aspects. Another definition down the memory hole, I guess.
I saw the video, and not only did they not violate the law, but their right to protest was violated by the Pink Angels and others. WND has been on the story since the beginning. National publicity got the charges dropped. The Philly 11 is suing the City of Philadelphia, Philly Pride Presents, and others for their arrests. Philly Pride tried to get out of the lawsuit, and received a smackdown from the judge who denied their motion to dismiss.
According to Repent America’s statement on Friday’s judicial ruling:
During the criminal proceedings, Chief Inspector James Tiano, who is the Philadelphia Police Department’s “liaison to the gay and lesbian community,” testified that police met with the “OutFest” organizers three or four times before the event and discussed, among other things, tactics to prevent Repent America from having access to the event. Additionally, police video shows Chief Inspector Tiano addressing a group of officers to inform them that the “religious right” was coming, and that the “Pink Angels” would be interfering with them.
“Chief Inspector Tiano’s comments seem to make it clear that the City conspired with the organizers of ‘OutFest’ to ensure that Repent America would not have access to the event to exercise their protected rights under both our state and federal Constitutions,” stated Ted Hoppe, attorney for the Philadelphia Eleven.
There are a lot of people and groups I wouldn’t mind seeing shut up. Start with Nancy Pelosi (humor value notwithstanding), David Duke and his ilk, the entire Phelps family and everybody who agrees with them, and the vast majority of Kossacks, just to name a few hundred thousand. But I don’t want them to be forced to shut up. I want them to have the right to speak, just as I do. In the case of these Christians, even though I think what they are saying and how they say it is counterproductive, to see it called “hate speech” and stifled by the government is unAmerican. So chalk one up for the good guys. All Americans who value truly free speech should celebrate the fact that these folks will have their day in court with all of the involved parties.
