Courage, Persecution and Injustice at the Pride Parade in Rome (GA).
A Priest leads a protest and other peaceful protestors unjustly arrested
Here in America, we often take the protection of our natural, God-given rights to speak and assemble for granted. Those days are ending and we are not insulated from this in the “Conservative” and “Christian” areas of Northwest Georgia. Thankfully, some people are still willing to stand up and speak truth to power - even though they are relegated to do so in approved “speech zones”. Others are being arrested for merely holding signs and peacefully protesting on public property owned by the citizens. Such was the case at the Rome, Georgia Pride events last weekend.
Courage
An Anglican Priest and some of his parishioners from Rome’s St. Andrews Church were “allowed” to hold signs in approved areas at the Rome Pride parade. The Pastor, Father Austin Goggans, who has done this in the past, held a sign that said “Men Can’t Get Pregnant”. A group of Parishioners and other demonstrators were “allowed” to stand in a remote corner on Broad Street at the north extent of the Parade, near the staging areas. However, the street they were on still had traffic moving in front of them and no crowd was gathered there. The parade passed by and in 5 minutes all exposure of the message was gone. (See more about this particular injustice below). They were not allowed to demonstrate near the pride event after the parade that lasted for hours.
People need to recognize the courage it takes these days to bring truth, especially Christ’s Truth, to the public and to those who revel in a deadly sin (Pride) as they reject God’s plan for men and women. This Pastor and his parishioners are to be congratulated. They are setting an example. Last week in Catholic Churches the Gospel related how Jesus told his disciples (and us) to “proclaim from the housetops” what we “hear whispered”. Jesus had sent people out to spread truth and warned them there would be many who would reject them, and they would be taken before “councils” and “governors” and “Kings”. This is happening now in Rome, Georgia as these Christians are persecuted.
“So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. 28 (Matthew 10:27-28)
The Parade had a large attendance by children (the Rome News and Tribune has many pictures including children at the event). The parade and event are featured at the Facebook page of the event. A video shows most of those in the parade, including kids marching (picture of kids in parade at bottom). The parade ended at an event at Heritage Park in Rome where many children were in attendance. Even an entity supporting public libraries in Floyd, Gordon and Chatooga and was present. The Sara Hightower Library has section of LGBTQIA++ books directed at “kids and teens”. There were reports from the Coosa Valley News of transgendered persons (men altered to appear as women) who were topless and of others using vulgar language and gestures and engaging in sexual acts. This was in the Park with many children present.
Injustice
There were two major acts of injustice against the citizens by the Rome Government.
(*Editor’s note: two of the four arrested “protestors” described below were actually citizen journalists caught up in the police action).
A small group of four protestors* were arrested for standing on a sidewalk across a very busy street from Heritage Park and holding signs. They could barely be seen. At no point did they block traffic (see picture at top of article). They did not block sidewalks. There was no one around them. There was no verbal or physical altercation. These facts are based on an interview of one of the victims of the arrest, Brad Barnes. They held signs and stood peacefully. One person held a sign from a gay protestor that read “Gays against groomers” . The details of the arrest were also reported here by the Georgia Republican Assembly. Mr. Barnes advised the Bartow Freedom Coalition that they were told by the police that if they did not disperse in 5 minutes, they would be arrested. At the time they were on private property in front of a bank. They moved to public property adjacent to the bank and were arrested. Unlike the Parish group they decided not to try for a permit since they knew they would be relegated to a small, remote area without meaningful opportunity for their message to be heard. There are serious legal and constitutional questions about this arrest which will be covered as this matter unfolds. However, Rome has an ordinance designed to require permits and allowing the local government to interfere with speech in public places.
These peaceful protestors were taken to jail. The Jail staff expressed surprise that they were not simply given a citation and sent on their way, rather than being locked in the jail for three hours with other offenders until set free. According to Mr. Barnes, the police were arguing over who would be “required” to put their badge number and signature on the citations. Apparently no police officer wanted to do so. These four protestors now face up to a $5,000 fine and 90 days in jail if convicted!
Unlike these four arrested protestors, Fr. Goggans and his parishioners had a permit. They originally asked to be present on the top of the levee, which is what they were allowed to do previously. Last year they were on the Levee and were allowed to go to the main parade crowd and hold signs. They stood quietly and were not treated respectfully, suffering greatly under the vulgar attacks on them. This year, the city placed them in a remote area with much less exposure. They were advised that if they moved out of the zone that they would be arrested if they refused an order to disperse within five minutes.
Is this America?
Did the police have backing from local authorities and ordinance to arrest? Yes. Should they have? The answer is clearly “no”. Are these laws and actions constitutional? Almost certainly not, but that will require action in the courts. Clearly there is a targeting of protestors this year that was not present last year, as can be seen with how the Parishioners of Father Goggans were treated.
What are you prepared to do?
The question for each of our readers is this: Are you prepared to stand up for truth when it is needed? Will we work at the school board to ensure that the current “gender ideology” is not integrated into our kids’ curricula? Are we willing to confront the sinner respectfully and help lead them away from their sin so they too can enjoy the salvation of Christ? Can we help those pressured to “transition” and pressuring kids to do so turn away from these ideas? Helping people in this way is a what is called a “spiritual act of mercy” and can always be done respectfully and in love. Even Pope Francis, who has faced critique as being too liberal, has said “Gender ideology, today, is one of the most dangerous ideological colonizations”.
There is a time, very soon, when speech will be actively, openly and aggressively suppressed in America. That is happening in many ways now already. Getting “Cancelled” is common and many have to fear large corporations that will seek to end employment of those who dare to speak openly. Even when based on truth, love and in respectful ways.
Will we be ready to stand for truth and speak and assemble when it matters? Will we ask our priests, ministers and clergy to lead courageous efforts as Fr. Goggans did? Will we ask them to simply teach these truths to their own parishioners, or will they be too afraid to do so? Will we act in solidarity with others who are treated with such injustice and bias?
Decide now and act now before it is too late.
“16 Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. “ (Matthew 10)
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
I read through the thread: The need for a permit, jailing, fining, or imposting any civil liability for speaking ones mind is unconstitutional. This is what the words abridging the freedom of speech. The comment by Brian Johnston concerning Andrew Blawat "doing it the right way" is in opinion only. One should not have to call the police department to tell them they are going to exercise their rights. It was a wise decision, but to say it was the "right" decision is taking away from one that under unction of conscience to freely speak.
Speaking specially to the issue of rights not being absolute: A person does not have the right to yell "FIRE" in a crowded room unless there is eminent danger. Who made this exception to the freedom of speech and why? According to Whalen Law Office (2024) Legal Mythbusting Series: it is not against the law. In fact, it was overturned for the censorship of free speech.
Addressing the need to bring America back to the Judes-Christian roots it was founded upon is very evident. It is sad to hear people are "cradle to grave Episcopalian" or as one man said to me "I will bleed 5 point Calvanism." Having a Master's degree in biblical studies, I understand different doctrinal beliefs. I understand those of different denominations having a slight twist to their biblical understanding. What I don't understand is how a professing Christian can state the words in the Bible are not God breathed, that they are not timeless, that they are circumstantial, and the most horrific of all, they can be interpreted any way one wants to. There is a biblical principle for each of prior statements, but this is about the freedom of speech.
I commend these that stood up to protest this wicked generation, not because I agree with them, but because they are exercising the right that men, women, and children have died for to give them that freedom. I commend them as Christians because righteousness exalts a nation, but sin disgraces it.
The city of Rome was wrong and hopefully it will cost them a lot of money so as not to make this mistake again. Unfortunately it will take a person who is willing to go to battle to accomplish it. God said who will I send concerning liberty in the LORD...America's freedom is in jeopardy and lady freedom is asking...Who will fight for me? I am a Christian first and then an American Patriot...
First Amendment Rights, as with any other rights are not absolute. It is well decided law that governments have the ability to restrict the free exercise of speech based upon time, place and manner. This limitation also can include the requirement for a permit for any sort of demonstration or counter demonstration.
Everything here seems to fall underneath those well established parameters. These are not new "woke" limitations, nor is Rome, by any stretch of the imagination, a "woke" town.
I am a cradle to grave Episcopalian, but I disagree with the intent and spirit behind the protest from my splintered brothers and sisters from the Anglican parish. However much I may disagree with their opinion, I will fight to my last breath to defend their right to have that opinion and express it in public. Thar was accomplished here.
By the same token, while I agree with members of the LGBTQ community having full and equal rights in our society, if in celebration of pride, some committed acts which violate local ordinances or state laws regarding behavior in public places, those people should have been cited or arrested and charged criminally.