Christian protesters fined for disrupting NY gay pride event
ELMIRA, N.Y. - Four Christian protesters who disrupted a gay pride festival in Elmira have been convicted of disorderly conduct.
Julian Raven, Maurice Kienenberger, Gloria Raven and Walter Quick testified they went to share their religious views at the Southern Tier Gay Pride Festival in a city park on June 23.
Wearing red T-shirts with the slogans "Liberated from Sin" and "By the Blood of Jesus," they were arrested for lying down in front of the stage after police ordered them to stay in a corner of the park.
A defense lawyer argued the arrests violated free speech rights, but a judge agreed with prosecutors that their actions threatened public order.
The Elmira residents were sentenced Friday to pay $100 fines and $95 in costs. An appeal is planned.
Information from: Star-Gazette, http://www.stargazette.com