Three arrested in demonstration...Soulforce Equality Ride for gay and transgendered students

[w8liftinglady]

If you needed any more examples of the intolerance in my area,here goes:
http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2008/10/31/news/doc4909f3c1e1f61674236043.txt
Waxahachie police arrested three individuals Thursday morning for demonstrating at the front of Southwestern Assemblies of God University.

The demonstrators were a part of the Soulforce Equality Ride bus tour, which is traveling to different faith-based college campuses on a stated purpose of opening a dialogue about inclusion for gay and transgender students.

“The letter we got from Soulforce requested to have full access with students and to have a dialogue with university leaders on their stance on homosexuality. We received this letter before the start of the fall semester and the university declined their request,” SAGU public relations director Ryan McElhany said. “The policy still stands that we support their ability to express their viewpoints on public property, but they are limited to public property. As a general rule, when an entity or organization comes to campus, they have to receive clearance through security. This is to protect our students and faculty and to look after their well-being.”

University officials, including the dean of students, Scott Camp, did meet with members of Soulforce at the front of the university property.

The riders’ goal was to attend chapel services on campus and worship with students. However, when their bus approached Sheaffer Full Life Center, police and university officials didn’t allow them to disembark, but directed them instead to the front of the university.

When Soulforce members disembarked the bus, a university official told them they were allowed to stay in the parking lot, but were not allowed to enter campus. If they did, they were to be arrested, he said.

The arrests occurred after three members of Soulforce proceeded to go onto the college campus. Manny Lampon, Zak Rittenhouse and Nicholas Rocco DeFinis were taken into custody, placed in zip cuffs and escorted off by officers.

“We are here today to spread a message of faith and fairness and a message of safety for all students including gay, lesbian or transgender. This is the eighth campus that we have gone to so far this year,” said Ann Macintyre, media director for Equality Ride. “It’s unfortunate that we were unable to worship here with the students, but it is not the first time we have been arrested for trying to go to chapel. It is really important to challenge religious beliefs and make sure our ideas are not harming others.”

Demonstrators gathered in a line and joined hands while singing songs about inclusion and oppression they say their group faces.

Showing opposition to the Soulforce demonstration was Operation Save America, which had two individuals holding signs as they street preached to the demonstrators – who, in turn, proceeded to sing louder to drown out the oppositional message.

As the street preaching continued, the Soulforce members turned their backs and formed a prayer circle.

“Our goal here today is to spread the truth and love of the gospel message. It does not always have to be with a particular group,” Operation Save America member William Bool said. “We heard about the demonstration today and that is why we are here.”

Soulforce members held vigils for the rest of the day along Sycamore Street with a goal of talking with students.

[brendan120678]

1. So they were arrested for trespassing, it sounds like. n/t