Government calls preaching 'clear and present danger' Appeals court deciding fate of free speech at Liberty Bell

1ST AMENDMENT UNDER FIRE

This is stuff right out of the Bible. Who would ever think that this is America?

clipped from www.wnd.com A panel of judges at the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today heard arguments that free speech should be allowed on public property at the site of the famous Liberty Bell, which itself quotes from the Bible in stating, "Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." The arguments came in a case involving Michael Marcavage, a minister whose work includes street preaching. He was fined and put on probation for preaching to the public on a sidewalk outside the Liberty Bell center after a trial in which government prosecutors described his message and actions as a "clear and present danger." The case began in October 2007 when Marcavage, director of the Repent America ministry, was arrested by supervising U.S. Park Ranger Alan Saperstein. Marcavage ultimately was charged with violating a so-called "verbal permit" and "interfering with agency functions." Evangelist Arrested for Preaching Near Liberty Bell from Repent America on Vimeo.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Emma Ruby-Sachs: Sarah Palin Advocates Violence, But Her Hit List Isn't Criminal (huffingtonpost.com)
• Late run gets Readard past Liberty Bell (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Irene Monroe: Pat Robertson's Haitian Theodicy (huffingtonpost.com)
• "Net neutrality:" Ain't over 'til it's over (michellemalkin.com)
• Tiger Goes Tiger, Insurance Company Doesn't Have to Pay (abovethelaw.com)
• New Film Reveals the "Not-So-Politically-Correct" and Shocking Truth About Street Preaching -- Sneak Peak Just Released (prweb.com)