"Guilty" of free speech next to liberty bell!

[ThoughtCriminal]

http://www.repentamerica.com/pressre...ertytrial.html

MARCAVAGE FOUND "GUILTY" FOR PREACHING
ON SIDEWALK NEAR THE LIBERTY BELL 06/14/08

PHILADELPHIA - On Friday, June 13, 2008 in the case of United States of America vs. Michael A. Marcavage, U.S. Magistrate Judge Arnold C. Rapoport found Repent America (RA) director Michael Marcavage "guilty" for preaching to those waiting in line to see the Liberty Bell. Marcavage had been arrested by the National Park Service in October of last year for continuing to preach on public property after refusing to move to a so-called “free speech zone,” and then charged under the Code of Federal Regulations.

During Repent America’s annual pro-life evangelism tour on October 6, 2007, RA was reaching out to those visiting the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall with the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ as park rangers continuously harassed the ministry team for refusing to relocate to a “free speech zone”. While preaching against America’s toleration of abortion and on repentance from sin to those waiting in line at the Liberty Bell Center at Independence National Historical Park, Marcavage was arrested on the public sidewalk just outside the building that houses the bell.

“In a land that tolerates the killing of unborn children, it is not surprising that we find ourselves in a continual battle for our freedoms. When the church is silent as the most helpless among us have their beating hearts stopped at the hands of abortionists, then we do not deserve liberty,” stated Repent America director Michael Marcavage. “Although we do not deserve the blessings of liberty that God has bestowed upon our nation, we must be good stewards by working to preserve and utilize them to help bring an end to the abortion holocaust,” Marcavage continued. “In Philadelphia – the birthplace of American freedom – we will, as the Scripture-inscribed Liberty Bell declares, ‘Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof’ (Leviticus 25:10) regardless of the efforts to silence us,” Marcavage concluded.

Under the direction of Ian Crane, chief ranger of Independence National Historical Park, supervising ranger Alan Saperstein repeatedly approached Marcavage to demand that he and the ministry team move to a “free speech zone” on the other side of the Liberty Bell Center, which was nowhere near those entering or exiting. Adding insult to absurdity, Saperstein stated that in the future that RA would need to obtain a written permit to even speak in the “free speech zone,” but given a “verbal permit” to go there for the day, which Marcavage refused, citing that constitutional protections were sufficient. When it became apparent that Marcavage was not going to yield to the unconstitutional demands, Saperstein arrested Marcavage and ordered the other members of the ministry team off the public sidewalks. Ironically, Marcavage was then physically escorted into the Liberty Bell Center for questioning and charged with violating the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, § 1.6 Permits (g)(2), which states that he violated the terms and conditions of a "verbal permit" – a permit that Marcavage never accepted, nor is such a permit even listed under the regulations. Subsequently, Marcavage was issued a citation nearly six months later by certified mail concerning the same matter for violating the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, § 2.32 (g)(1) + (2), which states that he was "interfering with agency functions" by preaching and ministering to people on the public sidewalk.

Yesterday, the trial resumed from April 22, 2008 and ended with Judge Rapoport finding Michael Marcavage "guilty" on both charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Goldberg argued that Marcavage's defense was "propaganda" and that he was a "clear and present danger" and asked the judge to send a message not only to Marcavage, but to anyone who would dare stand on public property and share their beliefs without government permission. Judge Rapoport fined Marcavage $445, including costs, and put him on probation for one year in which he is not permitted to enter the park, or be on the public sidewalks surrounding the park for any reason without first notifying park authorities, nor can he return to engage in free speech activities without first obtaining a permit, and only then in the designated "free speech zone". Directly following the trial, Marcavage was escorted by U.S. Marshals to be booked for his "crimes". The case is in the process of being appealed, and RA will be challenging these unconstitutional restrictions by filing for an injunction in federal court.

Take Action: (1) Contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives and ask them to be a voice against this injustice and the ban on freedom of religion and speech on the public sidewalks at Independence National Historical Park. You may do so by clicking here. (2) Forward this report to your family and friends so that they can do the same. (3) Click here to make a one-time or monthly donation to support the work of this ministry.

[Yellowfin]

Ah yes, they are changing it to the Liberty-Just Kidding Bell.

[Mosinshooter762]

http://www.repentamerica.com/pressre...ertytrial.html

MARCAVAGE FOUND "GUILTY" FOR PREACHING
ON SIDEWALK NEAR THE LIBERTY BELL 06/14/08

PHILADELPHIA - On Friday, June 13, 2008 in the case of United States of America vs. Michael A. Marcavage, U.S. Magistrate Judge Arnold C. Rapoport found Repent America (RA) director Michael Marcavage "guilty" for preaching to those waiting in line to see the Liberty Bell. Marcavage had been arrested by the National Park Service in October of last year for continuing to preach on public property after refusing to move to a so-called “free speech zone,” and then charged under the Code of Federal Regulations.

During Repent America’s annual pro-life evangelism tour on October 6, 2007, RA was reaching out to those visiting the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall with the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ as park rangers continuously harassed the ministry team for refusing to relocate to a “free speech zone”. While preaching against America’s toleration of abortion and on repentance from sin to those waiting in line at the Liberty Bell Center at Independence National Historical Park, Marcavage was arrested on the public sidewalk just outside the building that houses the bell.

“In a land that tolerates the killing of unborn children, it is not surprising that we find ourselves in a continual battle for our freedoms. When the church is silent as the most helpless among us have their beating hearts stopped at the hands of abortionists, then we do not deserve liberty,” stated Repent America director Michael Marcavage. “Although we do not deserve the blessings of liberty that God has bestowed upon our nation, we must be good stewards by working to preserve and utilize them to help bring an end to the abortion holocaust,” Marcavage continued. “In Philadelphia – the birthplace of American freedom – we will, as the Scripture-inscribed Liberty Bell declares, ‘Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof’ (Leviticus 25:10) regardless of the efforts to silence us,” Marcavage concluded.

Under the direction of Ian Crane, chief ranger of Independence National Historical Park, supervising ranger Alan Saperstein repeatedly approached Marcavage to demand that he and the ministry team move to a “free speech zone” on the other side of the Liberty Bell Center, which was nowhere near those entering or exiting. Adding insult to absurdity, Saperstein stated that in the future that RA would need to obtain a written permit to even speak in the “free speech zone,” but given a “verbal permit” to go there for the day, which Marcavage refused, citing that constitutional protections were sufficient. When it became apparent that Marcavage was not going to yield to the unconstitutional demands, Saperstein arrested Marcavage and ordered the other members of the ministry team off the public sidewalks. Ironically, Marcavage was then physically escorted into the Liberty Bell Center for questioning and charged with violating the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, § 1.6 Permits (g)(2), which states that he violated the terms and conditions of a "verbal permit" – a permit that Marcavage never accepted, nor is such a permit even listed under the regulations. Subsequently, Marcavage was issued a citation nearly six months later by certified mail concerning the same matter for violating the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, § 2.32 (g)(1) + (2), which states that he was "interfering with agency functions" by preaching and ministering to people on the public sidewalk.

Yesterday, the trial resumed from April 22, 2008 and ended with Judge Rapoport finding Michael Marcavage "guilty" on both charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Goldberg argued that Marcavage's defense was "propaganda" and that he was a "clear and present danger" and asked the judge to send a message not only to Marcavage, but to anyone who would dare stand on public property and share their beliefs without government permission. Judge Rapoport fined Marcavage $445, including costs, and put him on probation for one year in which he is not permitted to enter the park, or be on the public sidewalks surrounding the park for any reason without first notifying park authorities, nor can he return to engage in free speech activities without first obtaining a permit, and only then in the designated "free speech zone". Directly following the trial, Marcavage was escorted by U.S. Marshals to be booked for his "crimes". The case is in the process of being appealed, and RA will be challenging these unconstitutional restrictions by filing for an injunction in federal court.

Take Action: (1) Contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives and ask them to be a voice against this injustice and the ban on freedom of religion and speech on the public sidewalks at Independence National Historical Park. You may do so by clicking here. (2) Forward this report to your family and friends so that they can do the same. (3) Click here to make a one-time or monthly donation to support the work of this ministry.

And to think that this judge took an oath. When will "We the People" put an end to this?

[Mosinshooter762]

http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworl...,4355416.story


Evangelist gets probation for preaching near Liberty Bell

June 15, 2008

The leader of a Christian evangelical group who expressed his religious views to tourists near the Liberty Bell was placed on one year's probation for refusing to move from a sidewalk where demonstrations are banned.

Repent America director Michael A. Marcavage, 28, of Lansdowne, Delaware County, was sentenced Friday after a two-day bench trial. He was ordered to pay a $420 fine and told to notify the U.S. Park Service and get a permit if he planned to return to the site.

''Welcome to the new America,'' Marcavage said outside the courtroom. ''God help us. We're all headed for trouble if this is the direction the country is going in.''

Marcavage was charged on Oct. 6 while he and others preached and protested abortion on a sidewalk outside the building housing the Liberty Bell.

The sidewalk, although open to the public, was restricted by the National Park Service from demonstrations after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Officials at Independence National Historical Park offered Marcavage a site a half-block away, but he refused to move.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Arnold Rapoport found Marcavage guilty of violating a permit and interfering with park rangers.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rich Goldberg said the government has a right to regulate where demonstrations take place in a park that claims to draw more than 100,000 protesters a year.

''Nowhere does the law say that the government cannot regulate speech on a sidewalk used by the public,'' Goldberg contended in court documents.

Defense lawyer C. Scott Shields said he would appeal.

[Evolution]

That is completely ridiculous. The problem is that everyone wants to keep things civilized until the last possible moment. Well if we just keep sitting around doing nothing the last possible moment just may be a little to late.

[GunLawyer001]

This isn't a "free speech" issue, it's about a crank who can't get people to listen to him, hijacking the audience for another event.

It's no different from my "free speech" rights to stand in the front of a theater during a movie and sell Amway products.

These people were trying to visit the Liberty Bell and listen to the canned presentations of the Park Rangers. If they wanted to hear his views on Why America Is Sinning, they were free to seek him out and ask for a spiel. Having an unpopular message doesn't entitle you to set up a soapbox any time and any place that you please. For example, my living room is off limits.

Being an attention whore doesn't look any prettier if you're proselytizing. He can whine about his 1st Amendment rights and being persecuted, but unless the government is punishing him for the content of his message rather than the time and place of delivery, his rights are intact. Does the Park Service allow OTHER religious cranks to set up outside the Liberty Bell and harass tourists?

The 1st Amendment means that here, unlike Canada or Europe or most other places, you can't be arrested for merely stating opinions, unless you are inciting a riot. You can't even be arrested for false & defamatory speech, although you can be sued. But you gave no right to block traffic while you talk, or to trespass into a school and give a speech to the kids in Geography class, or to bring your bullhorn into WalMart and complain about China. Other people have rights, too, and one of those rights is to be left alone to visit national landmarks without being harassed.

[LBaker]

I'm with ya GL! I REALLY hate when people try to force their religious doctrine down my throat. As my high school principle said "There is a time and place for everything and this is neither the time nor the place."

[Dredly]

Good! I'm glad someone stood up to him and didn't buckle. He was told to move off "private" property, he refused, he got nailed. I can't stand people who feel the need to tell me how to live my life or preach to me.

Keep it to yourself and piss off.

[Poonie]

I agree with GL as well. Do these zealots actually think people will listen to their psychotic rhetoric in the manner they present it? All they are succeeding in doing is causing even more dissent to their cause. Case in point; those animal rights morons protesting the treatment of elephants in the circus, where, but at the circus while people are entering with enthusiastic children! Had htis happen to me one time while my family and I were entering the building the circus was being held in. When the crazy lady began yellin gat us about the treatment of the animals, I stopped her and said "do you think they get better treatment from the lions in the wild?" She stopped for a second then went right back to her ranting. So, I then countered with "hey if you're here after the show, I'll spring for some burgers". Boy she went ballistic but I had the crowd laughing so hard it drowned her out!

[GunLawyer001]

I should point out that I'd feel exactly the same if the guy was preaching the Koran, the Bible, or praising our troops, or condemning our troops, or boosting support for Ann Coulter for President, or any other message.

The content of the speech is irrelevant, it's the fact that he set up shop at someone else's venue and tried to force his message on people who were there for other reasons. Our freedom to associate includes the freedom NOT to associate, and our freedom of speech doesn't supersede the right of others to go about their business without being compelled to listen to our screeds.

Just because nobody shows up to your meetings, and everyone throws your junk mail away, and people hang up when you phone and shut the door when you knock, and your spam is always deleted unread, and your TV commercials cause people to change the channel . . . NONE of that gives you the right to a compulsory audience.