Bel Air, MD – Eighteen pro-lifers participating in the Maryland Face the Truth Tour were arrested without warning by Harford County State Troopers in the city of Bel Air, Maryland on Friday, August 1, 2008.
It was during the last tour stop of the week-long event, sponsored by Defend Life. when a State Trooper named Bradley approached the group and told them to move and put away their signs or they would be arrested. In an effort to comply, group leader Jack Ames gathered the group and moved down the road, into the city limits of Bel Air, Maryland.
The group stood peacefully on public property and did not “march” into the street as one news organization erroneously reported. Without warning, an estimated twenty patrol cars arrived on the scene and began arresting pro-life participants without a word. Those arrested were not told what they were being charged with, nor were they read their rights.
One of the women who participated in the tour overheard a police radio conversation where an unknown person told the troopers to make the arrests and that they would “figure out later” what charges would be filed.
At least two people suffered medical problems after having to sit for over a half hour with metal handcuffs that were too tight.
Two minors in the group were soon released, but the adults were held overnight. The men and women were held in two separate cells, but could hear each other. They passed the hours joining together in singing Christian hymns. The last of the pro-lifers were released on Saturday, August 2, at about 10:45 AM.
The group was eventually charged with loitering, failure to obey a lawful order, and disorderly conduct.
“There was some question about whether or not the group had a ‘demonstration permit.’ Are law enforcement officers now imitating the oppressive tactics that are used in Beijing or Tehran? The First Amendment of the Constitution is demonstration permit enough,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman, who had participated in the Maryland tour earlier in the week. “This is an open and shut case of officers who ran amok, and trampled upon the constitutional rights of their victims. Harford County can expect to have to answer for these civil rights violations in court.”
How can any freedom loving American not be outraged by this. Not only outraged but deeply concerned. Abortion is definitely wrong. When government uses the power of the gun to restrict free speach that’s wrong. The First Admendent was about protecting Unpopular Speech – popular speech needs no protection.
This is akin to arresting civil right protesters in the 60’s because they dared to ask for equal rights.
Even if someone has no opinion on Abortion they should be deeply concerned about such blatant police tactics. They could be arrested next for protesting the government trying to tell them what’s good for them to eat.
Question to ask – would a group of pro-abortion demonstrators protesting a pro-life demonstration – would they have been arrested. I think not!
good! These troopers have to be held accountable! It is just like China! Every American no matter what their abortion views should be in an uproar over this…who can we contact to express our outrage? I hope legal action is taken!
Shame on the Maryland State Police! Their job is to protect the innocent and apprehend the guilty. Their comment “we will figure it out later” what the charges are defies basic civil rights! I hope those arrested press this to the max to get not only an apology but compensation from the State Police. I am appalled at these officers behavior!!
also, the officers involved all need to be fired immediately. they are tyrannical to say the least and paving the way for a police state.
Is this the Heart of Harford? Or is this is an attack on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. No human being can create life, the can only participate with with the creator of life who brings all humans into the first baptism in the womb of their mothers. But there is a second sacred baptism in the Holy Spirit which many rob from the child whom God has created. But God is not a bully and gives us the opportunity to chose to accept this love or reject it. This is called free will. But He then says to us in Deuteronomy 30:19, 17, 18 – This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away … I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed.
It’s our decision, but be assured the innocent murdered son or daughter shall live with Christ forever. It is us who side with death that need to be rescued.
Please excuse my poor spelling.
i dunno i think I might have to side with the police until more information comes out, and from an independent source. They may be biased and police officers need the burden of doubt.
I just saw a new pro-life slogan on the web:
“Unborn children should have the right to keep and bear arms – and legs and ears and eyes etc.!”
Great slogan, huh?
Lou
(PS – Maryland is now Nightmare-yland !)
Having participated in the Maryland Face the Truth Tour earlier in the week I can attest it was peaceful and prayerful. The arrests are a disgrace! Please pray for those responsible.
Hopefully someone can write a few complaints that would go into the arresting officers file. They should be sued too!
Miranda rights. Always mandatory, always must be read. That’s all folks, these will illegal arrests.
I live right next to where these people were arrested and yes the signs were blocking the view on a VERY busy intersection. Even though I am completely pro-life and fully encourage this group I agree that they would not move when asked to and were a danger not only drivers but to themselves. They were right next to a 55 MPH zone with a short shoulder. I do have to say though that the police here are a bit out of hand with what they did, but the group could have moved to the parking lot right next to the road and still would have been clearly seen and obstructing the view of drivers.
I hope that legal action will be taken against the police for the unlawful arrests. Unless we Christians stand up for our rights, we will lose the right to defend the defenseless. Winning a legal victory with compensatory damages against the police will serve as a deterrent from them unlawfully arresting the next group of pro-lifers who are peacefully exercising their Constitutional rights.
Praise God that the charges were all dropped! I wrote to the Governor expressing my outrage about it. We don’t get much sympathy from the police here in Birmingham either. They are on the side of the abortuary and we have little or no protection. I do hope the group pursues legal action against these officers.
Where shall we go, if not to the LORD? I love life; I love the Life-giver; and HIS name is Christ Jesus the LORD! The forces of death – the devil with his minions – have (and always will) hated the Life-giver – the LORD Jesus.
Having preached against the death trade and actively protested at their death clinics, I can tell you: It should never surprise us that the “police” take the side of death devotees. Let us never loose heart, therefore, and become weary in well doing. Consider this caveat: “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. 11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” Proverbs 24:10-12
Praise God, 18 bold souls were strong in the LORD and the power of HIS might and withstood in the evil day. How about you, dear brother or sister in Christ, will you faithfully stand in the midst of hateful opposition, in the midst of impending – and actual – arrests, in the midst of police action?
May God be glorified in each of our lives!
Sincerely,
Pastor J S Brown