Jan 7, 2005

WorldNetDaily: 17-year-old girl part of 'Philadelphia 5'

While most of the media reports about the "Philadelphia 4" WorldNetDaily gives a more complete story in their article: 17-year-old girl part of 'Philadelphia 5'. I believe the liberal media wants to cast a dark shadow upon the Christians who were arrested. The arrest and charge of a seventeen year old girl would undermine that in the public's perception. Putting a young, female face to the story makes the public more sympathetic to the Christians' cause, not the militant homosexuals' cause (and by default- the liberal media cause).

The story points out that none of the militant homosexuals were arrested despite their aggressive behavior during the event. The original WND story from October 15, 2003 states:
Although some of the charges reportedly have been dropped since the 11 defendants were released, the Culture and Family Institute report quotes Philadelphia Police spokeswoman Officer Maria Ibrahim as saying the remaining charges are "criminal conspiracy," "failure to disperse," "disorderly conduct" and "obstructing a highway."

Responding to the riot charge, the group's statement said: "Despite the fact that our behavior was above reproach and we were attacked by a mob of whistle-blowing, obscenity-screaming God haters, the Christians, and only the Christians, were charged."


There was also a charge of "ethnic intimidation." This means that the Philadelphia police and prosecutor have given homosexuality "ethnic" status, while taking away the Free Speech of Christians.

A video of the event can be seen here from the American Family Association's website. In fact, you can see the "Pink Angels" obstructing the public walkway and even hear a police officer tell the Christian protester that it is a public walkway and he can go "wherever" he wants to go. Somehow the Philly police missed the obstruction on the video and found some other obstruction. Also, the police can be seen coddling the homosexuals, while harassing the Christian protesters.

A question- would the Philadelphia police be as forceful if it were a Christian event that homosexuals were protesting? Definitely not. The police were trying to force the Christian protesters to walk down a different street and to take down their signs. When filth-peddlers claim the First Amendment for freedom of speech, they twist and pervert what that freedom is all about- but in this case, it is exactly what the First Amendment addresses: political and religious speech. The Philadelphia police ignored the Constitution! Amendment I states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The Philadelphia police and prosecutor's office are a joke. They should hang their heads in shame and be disbanded. That was a total miscarriage of justice. As Brian Fahling from the American Family Association's Center for Law and Policy said, ""First, symbols of Christianity are removed from the public square; now, Christians are facing 47 years in prison because they preached the gospel in the public square. Stalin would be proud."

This brings a whole new meaning to "the city of brotherly love."

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