Nine Pro-Life warriors were recently arrested in Birmingham, Alabama. They were on a public sidewalk. I read somewhere that when they asked the officers why it was illegal to distribute Pro-Life material showing what abortion looks like on a public sidewalk, the officers said the sidewalk was only public for residents of Birmingham.
The police at first didn't return the video equipment, but with the release of this youtube video, it looks like they finally got it back!
Peter Shinn
Pro-Life Unity - http://www.prolifeunity.com
United we stand - Divided they die
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The following is a message from Jack Ames - Director, Defend Life
I recently learned of the ILLEGAL ARREST OF 9 PRO-LIFERS in Birmingham, Alabama, described in this Life Site News article and recorded in this YouTube video.
Rev. Jeff White, the founder of Survivors, the pro-life group whose members were arrested, said of the arrests, "It is ironic that young people participating in a project [referring to the Birmingham Letter Project ] named after Dr. King's letter sit in the very jail he penned it from. Ironic and sad. ... Throughout their entire ordeal, these youths' first and foremost concern was to draw attention to the ultimate civil rights abuse - the murder of pre-born children."
On Thursday, February 12, 2009, nine members of nine members of Survivors were holding signs, dialoguing and distributing literature to students on a public sidewalk at Birmingham's Parker High School when police arrived and began to threaten the group with arrest unless they leave.
Informed by their attorney that their location on the public sidewalk and their free speech activity was legal, the participants in the Survivors Camus Life Tour continued their activities until police began arresting the members without explanation.
The Survivors members, who reported being treated with contempt both by police officers and jail guards, were held overnight in the Birmingham City Jail and released early the next morning. Upon release, they were given bond forms stating "Charge of Trespassing" with no penal code listed. It is uncertain whether they will press charges for these ILLEGAL ARRESTS, reminiscent of a SIMILAR INCIDENT in which 18 participants in an August 1, 2008 FACE THE TRUTH TOUR in Bel Air, Maryland were arrested.
I urge you to CALL or EMAIL the Mayor, his executive assistant, city councilman, and Governor Robert (Bob) Riley to protest this gross violation of First Amendment Rights.
Contact information is as follows:
Governor
Robert (Bob) Riley
Phone: 334.242.7100
(no email available)
Mayor of Birmingham
Larry P. Langford
Phone: 205.204.2198
(no email available)
Executive Administrative Assistant to the Mayor
Charles Long
205. 254.2609
charles.long@birminghamal.gov
Birmingham City Council
Joel Montgomery, Representing District 1
Phone: 205.254.2349
(no email available)
Carol Duncan, Representing District 2
Phone: 205.254.2348
carol.duncan@birminghamal.gov
Valerie A. Abbott, Representing District 3
Phone: 205.254.2355
valerie.abbott@birminghamal.gov
Maxine Herring Parker, Representing District 4
Phone: 205.254.2464
maxine.parker@birminghamal.gov
Johnathan Austin, Representing District 5
Phone: 205.254.2678
(no email available)
City Council President Carole C. Smitherman, Representing District 6
Phone: 205.254.2359
carole.smitherman@birminghamal.gov
City Council President Pro Tem Miriam D. Witherspoon, Representing District 7
Phone: 205.254.2418
miriam.witherspoon@birminghamal.gov
Steven W. Hoyt, Representing District 8
Phone: 205.254.2304
steven.hoyt@birminghamal.gov
Roderick V. Royal, Representing District 9
Phone: 205.254.2302
roderick.royal@birminghamal.gov
Sincerely,
Jack Ames
Director, Defend Life
www.defendlife.org
410-337-3721
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