The Arrest

[crystaljackel]

I'm confused. Doesn't PP own everything inside the gate making it private? I'm totally for this, but I'm unsure of the legal aspect of this. There was a private property sign on the gate and he crossed it? the video is unclear and a little confusing

[emeraldinspirations]

@crystaljackel No Planned Parenthood doesn't own that property, the sign was placed up by them, but they had no legal backing for it. In-fact, due to Pat Mahoney's actions, the courts clarified this issue, and I was one of the hundreds who prayed openly on that very same side walk in this years March for Life. Thank you Pat Mahoney!

[supermegaawesomestud]

disrupting the peace. he should be arrested an thrown in jail for a few months.

[joshuamiller79]

So I guess the claim is being made that the area where he was arrested is actually public property so that would invalidate the no trespassing sign?

[babyerika07]

that's messed up, now it's a crime to pray in public ?

[Gakerly]

i'm all for what you're doing...but the sign says "private property". it's not public...soooo ya. not the smartest move.

[kempo101]

ps we own planned parenthood look it up

[ClarkKasheta]

One Nation, under Obama...

[GodsGalaxy]

So much for change and free speech in America.

[thingsthatshine]

This is not public space the same way that a public park or other public land is. The city retains the right of imminent domain for the easement, but the public doesn't have right of standing. This is the same as the city having right of imminent domain over the very front of your yard (for sidewalk, for sewers, etc.) but you don't have the right to camp permanently on your neighbor's front lawn.

In less-than-startling-news, Pat Mahoney prayed in front of TV cameras

[DvNaSSasin]

Srry NOT violation of 1st Amendment rights..This is a guy going onto what seems to be private property when told not to & doing so right in front of a patrol-man to make it look even more deliberate..WHY DID HE WAIT IN FRONT OF THE GATE WHEN MAKING HIS SPEECH, THEN WENT INTO SAID PRIVATE PROPERTY WHEN HE WAS DONE? That shows he knew what wud happen, if he crossed the gate..If the land in front of the facility [where he walked into] was not claimed by them & just hung a sign, then he has a case.

[loniandjesus]

Regardless of the rightness of praying publically to see if it would cause trouble, I personally think that the government moving to get rid of prayer shows their fear toward it, cause wouldn't you know- prayer in the name of Jesus WORKS.

[krakendahed]

Rev Patrick Mahoney is arrested for quietly reading scripture and praying on private property in Washington, DC and refusing to leave.

[theinvestmentguy]

Great man of courage. A shame for our country. We have the freedom here to kill babies as we please, a cruel and violence on innocent lives, we dont have the right to peaceful prayer? Wake up America!

[justdontdie02]

I agree with thechristcloud; if this was about prayer, he could have stayed where he knew he would be left alone, instead of moving to a spot where he knew it would create turmoil.

[justdontdie02]

Why is there a "Private Property" sign if it's not really private property?

[jhaze918]

there were predictions things like this might happen

[BionicDave23]

your an insperation standing up for what you believe in

[peterack]

My question...if a Muslim goes to the same spot and lays down a blanket and faces North on his knees bowing up and down up and down...muttering whatever it is they pray...is the Muslim going to be arrested? My answer...heaven's no - that might upset someone!

[thingsthatshine]

@peterack

If a Muslim was trespassing, as Pat Mahoney was trespassing, they would be arrested.

[peterack]

@thingsthatshine I disagree...society does not want to insult muslims - they'd give him a pass...though neither of us can really prove anyting. Interestingly enough (or not) I heard from the arrested clergy in the video...Planned Parenthood put up "no tresspassing/private property" signs on public property so he was not really tresspassing, which is in part why he went past the false barfier. Again I will bet, and would love to prove...the same result would not be granted to a muslim.

[thechriscloud]

I wouldn't go as far say " they will hate us because of His name" or anything. I mean, he could have been an atheist pro-choice homeless man. They still would have arrested him. I think the description is a bit misleading. "is arrested for quietly reading scripture and praying in a public space". I would say he is arrested for not obeying the cops and "trespassing", even though we know it wasn't trespassing. What was this about? If it was about prayer. he would have just stayed on the sidewalk.

[Monty0699]

This has been public property for years, and it still legally is. They have been coming to this patch of grass and praying for 10 years. There is no legal documentation saying they cannot come and do this.

[SpiroEx]

rjstrange: Until a crime is commited a person cannot be arrested. If someone said 'I'm going to trespass on private property" you couldn't arrest him for just stating his intent - you'd have to wait for him to do it. The state had wrongly identified the (illegal) enclosure as private property. The police were acting as an arm of the State. I would be more concerned if they had arrested him on the sidewalk which is uncontested public property. But putting a fence round land doesn't make it yours.

[rjstrange]

I'm still kind of confused, why didn't they just stop him from going onto the property and praying, if they were going to arrest him afterwards? Seems really corrupt to me.

[olayb1760]

they will hate us because of His Name. i saw this coming...it's hurtful but at the same time it is the beginning of the ushering in of the Lord our Savior!

[jesusismyfinalanswer]

right to peaceful protest!