Cops kill free speech at 'gay' event

Male and female 'impersonators' Chris Deemon and Samantha Starr are  "Mr. and Miss Southern Tier Pride 2008.' (Photo courtesy Southern Tier Pride)

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed suit against the City of Elmira, N.Y., after police threatened to arrest three Christians if they did not remove a shirt and stop sharing biblical messages during a "gay" pride event at a public park.

John Barnes wore a shirt with the message "Liberated from sin by the blood of Jesus" to the Southern Tier Pride 2008 at Wisner Park – a June 14 event promoted as a celebration of homosexual, bisexual and transgender lifestyles.

According to the complaint filed in a U.S. district court, Elmira police Capt. Michael Marrone ordered Barnes to remove his shirt to prevent a "negative atmosphere" at the event and arouse discomfort in other attendees.

Barnes obeyed the officer and took off his shirt so he could remain at the park without facing arrest.

(Story continues below)

Capt. Michael Marrone

Another Christian, Julian Raven, carried a Christian newsletter to the event called the Elmira Protestor. Marrone threatened to arrest Raven if he distributed the letter, saying it contained obscene or illegal material, according to the complaint. Raven complied with the order.

Capt. James Wandell and Sgt. Sharon Moyer threatened a third Christian, James DeFerio, with arrest for holding a sign on a public sidewalk adjacent to the park. The sign read: "Thousands of ex-homosexuals have experienced the life-changing love of Jesus Christ" and listed websites for more information about ministry to ex-"gays."

DeFario complied with their demands. However, according to the complaint, officers then told him he was not allowed to talk to anyone at the event about the Bible. Police ordered DeFario to leave the event where Elmira Mayor John Tonello was scheduled to speak about democracy, telling him to cross the street.

Capt. James Wandell

Elmira Mayor John Tonello spoke about democracy at the 'gay' pride event.

"Christians shouldn't be discriminated against for expressing their beliefs," ADF Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster said in a statement. "Police cannot threaten to arrest Christians at a city park for sharing their viewpoint at an event open to the general public. Respecting their free speech rights is not optional."

The men are claiming officers violated their constitutional rights to free speech, free exercise of religion and equal protection under the law. They are requesting a permanent injunction prohibiting police from "arresting them, forcibly removing them, or otherwise restricting their speech in traditional public fora due to the content and viewpoint of such speech, or because of their religious beliefs."

Oster said police harassed the men primarily because of their Christian beliefs.

"Exercising your First Amendment rights is not a crime," Oster said. "Threatening to arrest Christians simply because they have opposing views and choose to exercise their free speech rights at a public place is unconstitutional."

 

---

Related special offers:

"Kinsey: Crimes & Consequences"

"Back Fired," by William J. Federer, shows how the faith that gave birth to tolerance is no longer tolerated!

 

"The Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom"

"The Gay Agenda: It's Dividing the Family, the Church, and a Nation"

 

"CRIMINALIZING CHRISTIANITY"

 

 

---

Previous stories:

Magazine cleared of 'bigotry,' now facing 2nd hearing

Top 7 acts of Christian-bashing cited

Congressional 'hate crimes' plan dropped – for now

'Hate crimes' critics alarmed over coming vote

White House helped craft 'gay'/transsexual rights bill

Bill requires hiring 'gays,' cross-dressers

President says 'hate crimes' plan unneeded

Will Bush veto 'thought police'?

Christians in bull's-eye in new 'hate crimes' plan

Congress debates 'jail grandma' hate speech

'Jail grandma' hate speech debate begins

Christian 'hate sites' blasted by Hindus

Christian belief a 'hate crime' under plan

Diss a 'gay'? Go to jail!

Philadelphia 11 appeal free speech limits

'Philadelphia 11' told 'gays' limited speech

'Philly 11' win round against 'gay' group

Philly group to protest 'Outfest' again

Judge drops all charges against Philly Christians

Judge rules against Christians who preached to homosexuals

'Philly 5' win 1 in court

Christian group gets obscene, hateful messages