Homosexual charged with punching cop

A homosexual protester who was part of a demonstration outside the home of a Christian activist near Philadelphia has been jailed for allegedly punching a policeman who responded to the scene.

Jason Robbins, 26, was arrested Dec. 4 outside the East Pikeland Township, Pa., home of Linda K. Beckman, one of the 11 Christians arrested last year at the homosexual "OutFest" event in Philadelphia after preaching to the gathered crowd and displaying banners with biblical messages.

According to a Philadelphia Inquirer report, the protest occurred outside Beckman's home while she hosted a fellowship meeting inside.

Robbins is a part of Philadelphia Anti-Racist Action, which has actively opposed Repent America, the organization that sponsored the OutFest demonstration and other anti-homosexual protests.

"We went to their neighborhood to say that two can play this game," Josh Freedman, a spokesman for Philadelphia Anti-Racist Action, told the local paper – which reported the action was specifically meant to avenge protests by Repent America.

The protesters allegedly were using foul language outside the Beckman home, prompting neighbors to call police.

"Their behavior is what is illegal," Michael Marcavage, director of Repent America, is quoted as saying. "You can't be chanting profanities and having signs with obscene messages. That's not protected by the First Amendment."

East Pikeland Police Chief James Franciscus told the Inquirer the group was causing a disturbance and taunting Beckman to come outside and fight.

Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Richard L. Fagley Sr. reportedly ordered Robbins out of his vehicle – he was watching as his approximately eight cohorts protested outside the house. The policeman says the suspect struck him and cursed at him.

"I opened the door, and he punched me, and as I guided him from the car he kept pushing me into the ice-covered street," Fagley reported.

Freedman, however, claims the police department's charges are "completely false and trumped up."

Said Franciscus: "They weren't cooperative with police. They didn't do what they were requested to do. He struck a police officer."

According to Repent America, some of the protesters made death threats against the Beckman family.

The principles of Anti-Racist Action are stated on its website. They include: "We go where they go: Whenever fascists are organizing or active in public, we're there. We don't believe in ignoring them or staying away from them. Never let the nazis have the street!" and "We don't rely on the cops or courts to do our work for us: This doesn't mean we never go to court. But we must rely on ourselves to protect ourselves and stop the fascists."

Robbins was released from the Chester County Prison Thursday after posting bail. He faces charges of aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

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