What Becomes of the Almost-Martyrs?

Pennsylvania judge Pamela Dembe has dismissed all charges — inciting riot, conspiracy and ethnic intimidation (Pennsylvania’s hate crime law) — brought against the four conservative Christian protesters arrested last fall for picketing a gay street festival with a bullhorn and refusing police orders to leave. Among the four was Repent America founder, Michael Marcavage, who had told a newspaper that he was reminding the government of its obligation to “enforce God’s law.” While Christianity Today Weblog is glad to see the story die and Marcavage be demoted from would-be martyr to “just another guy with a bullhorn,” Robert Knight, director of Concerned Women for America’s Culture & Family Institute, suggests that the city of Philadelphia should be sued for bringing the charges in the first place.