Group demands apology from judge

A pro-family group has demanded an apology from a Philadelphia County court judge for apparently equating members of a Christian group to the Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan.

While applauding Judge Pamela Dembe's dismissal of all criminal charges against four Christians arrested last year for evangelizing at an outdoor homosexual event, the American Family Association expressed outrage over Dembe's "hateful and bigoted comparison of peaceful Christians to these hate-filled groups."

"We are one of the very few countries that protects unpopular speech," Dembe said after viewing a videotape of the arrests. "And that means that Nazis can March in Skokie, Ill. ... That means that the Ku Klux Klan can march where they wish to. We cannot stifle speech because we don't want to hear it, or we don't want to hear it now."

"It is very disturbing that in her statements Judge Dembe compared the activities of Repent America to those of Nazis and the KKK," said Diane Gramley, president of the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Family Association in a release. "In light of all that these Christians have been through in the last few months to have the judge compare what they did in October to the demonstrations of two of the most notorious white supremacist hate groups in American history is unbelievable."

As WorldNetDaily reported, on Oct. 10, a group of 11 Christians was "preaching God's Word" to a crowd of people attending the Philadelphia "OutFest" event and displaying banners with biblical messages.

After a confrontation with a group called the Pink Angels, described by protesters as "a militant mob of homosexuals," the Christians were arrested and spent a night in jail.

Eight charges were filed: criminal conspiracy, possession of instruments of crime, reckless endangerment of another person, ethnic intimidation, riot, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct and obstructing highways.

None of the Pink Angels was cited or arrested.

After a preliminary hearing in December, Judge William Austin Meehan ordered four of the Christians to stand trial on three felony and five misdemeanor charges. If convicted, each could have received a maximum of 47 years in prison. One female teenage protester faces charges in the juvenile justice system, but those charges likely will be dropped.

"Thursday's decision closes the book on just one chapter of this story," Gramley stressed. "The hate crimes law will continue having a chilling effect upon the First Amendment rights of all those who oppose the homosexual lifestyle. Changes must be made."

Bruce Fahling, senior trial attorney for the American Family Association Center for Law & Policy who worked on behalf of the Christians in the federal courts agrees the 'Philadelphia 11' saga is far from over.

"The next chapter is federal action against the officers and city of Philadelphia. We are still calling for the Department of Justice to investigate the corruption and profound abuse of power that we have seen in Philadelphia," said Fahling.

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