Julie Bird had a diaper bag over her shoulder, her child in one arm, and a stack of tracts in the other arm. On a public sidewalk in front of an abortion clinic, she had a peaceful, gentle, pleading conversation with a woman passing by. So how did this result in her being charged with assault (even though there was no physical contact or threatening gestures) and then ultimately convicted of disorderly conduct a year and a half later? Are laws that define “disorderly conduct” as that which is an “inconvenience” or “annoyance” vulnerable to the abuse of agenda-driven judges?
Bill and I talk to Julie’s husband, Andy Bird.
An introspective question for my evangelical Christian brothers: Are we willing to die to defend the right of others—including non-Christians we vehemently disagree with—to participate in legitimate, peaceful, and non-violent expressions of free speech, even if the content of the speech makes us uncomfortable?
Possibly related posts:
Assault – Legal Definition
A crime that occurs when one person tries to physically harm another in a way that makes the person under attack feel immediately threatened. Actual physical contact is not necessary; threatening gestures that would alarm any reasonable person can constitute an assault. Compare battery.
Thanks. I just updated the post to cover the “gestures” part.
Still seems completely irrelevant, as there was not even remotely an attempt to physically harm anyone, nor were there any threatening gestures. The woman subpoenaed testified that Julie was calm, nice, and even “sad”.
On a side note, I think that Mormons have a lot to gain by sticking up for the right of freedom of speech, as without it their own missionary endeavors would be abridged.
Bill, Eric, Sharon, Aaron, and all –
Listening to this mp3 made me sad. An American exercising her Constitutional rights (rights that men died and killed for) on American soil was punished for doing such. The part that is really sad is this type of thing is far from being an anomaly. The tone in America has changed against the Bill Rights.
My question to all who read this blog is – How far would the government(s) have to go before you no longer supported it? Would you support a tyrannical regime like that of Stalinist Russia or Nazi Germany? Could anything make you turn your hand against the government?
It is about time that Americans, Christian and non-Christian, begin to ask ourselves this. Do we really believe in the spirit that gave rise to the 2nd Amendment? Make no mistake about it, one must be willing to resist over a principle, and not merely over a gross intrusion into one’s lifestyle. If one waits for things to get so bad (like communist China bad) before one resists, then resistance will not be possible.
There is a reason why we are Americans and not subjects of the crown. Men were willing to form a militia and enforce rights given to them by their Creator. Granted, the Founding Fathers petitioned King George several times before they took their path but eventually they saw what needed to be done. They were not absolutists like many modern Christians.
It seems like the Birds, and those with them, did everything they could within the confines of the judicial system. But, what does one do if government employees are continually unfair and unjust? Keep going through the motions expecting a different result? Again, this is not just an isolated incident – there has been “a long train of abuses”.
continued
There is nothing righteous about letting our government run wild. I dare say that cowardice guides many Americans today; fear masquerades as patriotism and piety. We all know that resistance will come at a very high price; to challenge this regime will be to challenge a powerful empire (perhaps the most powerful ever?). But, do we love liberty as much as those who founded this country?
If you are Mormon and you are reading this, I hope that you are willing to stand with those who normally disagree with you. I will gladly stand up for your right to disagree with me and practice your religion as you see fit. I will still try to convince you that you are wrong, but unlike what happened here, I will not send armed men to silence your speech. Do you really want judges, who sit as despots, to tell you what you can and cannot say?
I have exercised my constitutional rights on several occasions. I would like to continue to do so. However, given the current climate of America I do not think that will be possible. If any of you readers think I am wrong then tell me how bad things would have to get before you would resist. If you would never actively resist then you are out of step with the spirit that forged this nation, and guided the formation of the Constitution.
Peace (but only under certain circumstances) Out