I got this via email from the Florida Family Policy Council (linkage and emphasis mine) More thoughts after the jump …
‘Kissing cops’ lawsuit settled
The Good News 08/01/08—The federal civil rights lawsuit brought by Florida Family Policy Council against a Sunrise police officer for harassment of marriage amendment supporters at the 2006 Promise Keepers conference was resolved last week
The 2007 federal court lawsuit filed against City of Sunrise police officer Sergeant Stephen Allen and Broward County for improperly prohibiting marriage amendment petitions from being distributed at a 2006 Promise Keepers conference has been settled for $30,000.
…
At the Policy Council’s table, volunteers were collecting petitions to get the Florida Marriage Amendment on the ballot. The Amendment would define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Accordingly to recorded statements from eye witnesses, Sgt. Allen, the duty officer hired by the Broward-owned civic center, informed the Policy Council’s volunteers that the marriage amendment petitions could not be collected or be in “public view” and must be immediately removed.
The volunteers said they were mocked, harassed and threatened with being arrested for collecting the petitions, and then Allen personally confiscated the petitions. Sgt. Allen and Officer M. Allard, both male officers, further ridiculed the effort by appearing to kiss each other. …
I am very glad the lawsuit was settled. Granted this wasn’t the Nazis showing up in the middle of the night to ship whole neighborhoods off to the Ghettos in the middle of the night. However, I am very glad that this abuse of police authority was properly dealt with. The arrogance of the officers … astounding. The article goes on to share …
Stemberger said, “I respectfully asked Sgt. Allen what law or ordinance was being violated by the display and collection of petitions. In response, Allen ignored my requests and unbelievably started lecturing us on his opinion that ‘Jesus never addressed homosexuality,’ and that the petition effort was a ‘waste of time.’
Stemberger says he was so “distressed” by the abuse of power and the trampling of rights, he called his attorney who confirmed Allen was “abusing his power given the circumstances.” Stemberger decided he was willing to be arrested – if necessary – in order to make a point and stand up for his First Amendment rights.
Stemberger said, “I put the petitions back on the table and stood in between the petitions and Sgt. Allen. I told him that he had no legal authority for his order and that he would have to arrest me because he was in direct violation of the United States Constitution.”
The incident ended after a civic center official told Sgt Allen to stand down and he walked away. A small crowd of about 50 people that had gathered to watch the 45-minute incident applauded.
Earlier news reports indicated that Sgt. Allen had a past record of complaints by other citizens. The lawsuit was initiated after the internal affairs investigation by the Sunrise Police department found the complaints against Allen “sustained,” and they withheld a week of his salary.
Stemberger said, “We felt strongly that we had to file the suit to send a clear message to Sgt. Allen and all other gay rights advocates who are intolerant of those who have a different view than them that such intimidation will not be tolerated in free society.”
It is sad that Sgt. Allen had to abuse his authority in such a manner and that this situation had to go this far. I am very glad for John’s willingness to confront this injustice. It’s another reason why I am glad to call John a friend. I am also grateful that free speech won the day. We hear about this type of behavior from time to time and it seems to be increasing. Again, we don’t live in a police state but the arguments for the erosion of religious liberty at the expense of gay activism are gaining credibility.
Related posts (automatically generated)
Add New Comment
Viewing 5 Comments
Thanks. Your comment is awaiting approval by a moderator.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Add New Comment
Trackbacks
(Trackback URL)