Media Borough Police Steal Pro-Life Signs

Arrested In Birmingham Alabama:

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