The Philadelphia 11
Lauren Murch, 17
faces a possible 47 years in jail for witness.

On October 10, 2004 A.D., eleven Christians were arrested for their witness at a gay pride event called "OutFest", in Philadelphia. The event was organized by Michael Marcavage and his group Repent America.

Among these, was our seventeen-year-old daughter, Lauren Murch, who faces charges of Criminal Conspiracy, Possession of Instruments of Crime, Reckless Endangerment of Another Person, Ethnic Intimidation, Riot, Failure to Disperse, Disorderly Conduct, and Obstructing Highways. If convicted on all counts, these folks would face a possible 47 years in jail!

An independant film crew from San Francisco was providentially present, doing a documentary that included the activities of our friend, Street Preacher Michael Marcavage. He was wearing a microphone from the film company, so all Michael's discussions with the police can be clearly heard.

In addition, the tape is a continuous fifteen minutes long, the entire duration of the incident from start to finish, with no breaks or edits. It shows Michael Marcavage being polite and cooperative with the police in every respect. It shows our folks being completely orderly. It shows the sodomite's group known as the "Pink Angels" (formed to "defend" against the preaching and witnessing) being hostile, menacing and disruptive.

It also shows that police were complied with in every respect until they told Marcavage that he actually had to leave the area of the event, which was several blocks of closed public streets. The moment he refused he was verbally placed under arrest, and was told that everybody in the group was also under arrest. There was no warning, no "lawful order".

Our folks are being represented by American Family Association lawyers. Their first move was to file civil rights suit in federal court with a motion for an emergency restraining order to stop the prosecution in Philadelphia. That was rejected by both federal district court, and the Court of Appeals, which means the prosecutions will go forward. The City of Philadelphia has dropped charges against six defendants so far.

The City Solicitor claimed that the words of the Bible were "hate speech" during the hearing for a restraining order. The wicked judge agreed, calling the preaching "fighting words", which in law, is not protected free speech.

The lawsuit itself will go forward, with eleven Christians suing the City for violation of the their first, fourth and fourteenth amendment rights (rights to free speech, assembly and practice of religion; protection from unlawful search and seizure;and the guarantee of equal protection under the law for all citizens).

More information about the incident and ongoing progress on the case can be found at Repent America's site.

You can also WATCH the video footage of the event from the San Francisco film crew.

Though the news began to spread that charges were dropped against seven of the participants, Lauren Murch was left unaccounted for. The "Philadelphia 4" is really The Philadelphia 5. After Bruce wrote a compaint to World Net Daily's Editor-in-Chief Joseph Farah to complain about this inaccuracy, they tuned that into a story which can be found HERE.

We apologize that this info has not been available on our site until now. Our ongoing trial with Beverly's illness has us putting these things on the back burner.