Pennsylvania: ADF represents 11 Christians arrested for religious expression
ALLIANCE DEFENSE FUND MEDIA ADVISORY
February 8, 2008 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT ADF MEDIA RELATIONS: (480) 444-0020
ADF attorneys available to media
following hearing in Pa. free speech case
Eleven Christians arrested in 2004 for expressing religious beliefs
on public streets
WHO: ADF Senior Counsel Joseph Infranco and ADF-allied attorney Ted Hoppe
WHAT: Oral arguments in Startzell v. City of Philadelphia
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 11, at 1:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, 601 Market St., Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund will be available for media interviews immediately following oral arguments Monday in Startzell v. City of Philadelphia. Police arrested a group of Christians in 2004 after they walked down a public street quoting the Bible during Outfest, a celebration of homosexual behavior.
“Christians shouldn’t be penalized for expressing their beliefs. Arresting Christians simply because they choose to exercise their First Amendment rights in a public place is unconstitutional,” said ADF-allied attorney Ted Hoppe. “There is no justification for silencing speech simply because it is considered to be ‘unpopular.’”
On Oct. 10, 2004, police arrested a total of 11 people, including one juvenile, for expressing their beliefs during Outfest, which is a publicly-funded event. Charges against all but five were immediately dropped. In 2005, the remaining five were found not guilty at trial. A judge dismissed the charges.
Hoppe then filed a civil suit on behalf of all 11 people, alleging violation of their First Amendment rights. The case is now before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit (www.telladf.org/news/story.aspx?cid=4012).
A fact sheet is available on the lawsuit at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/StartzellFactSheet.pdf. A copy of the original complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is available at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/StartzellComplaint.pdf.
ADF is a legal alliance defending the right to hear and speak the Truth through strategy, training, funding, and litigation.
One Comment
Please do a follow up article - How did argument go ?? Philadelphia’s public funds go to that festival ?? Those 11 people deserve every apology available. Hope Joseph and Ted enjoyed their visit. Thank you Alan & Co.
Jim S.
Philadelphia, PA
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[...] ADF Attorney Joe Infranco appears on Penn State radio to discuss the case. ADF’s press release on the case is here. [...]