Title: Those Who Do Not Know History Doomed to Repeat It: ‘Jesus’ Arrested in Police State USA Source:
Free Thought Project URL Source:http://thefreethoughtproject.com/jesus-arrested-police-state-usa/ Published:Nov 16, 2014 Author:Jay Syrmopoulos Post Date:2014-11-17 10:08:31 by Bill D Berger Keywords:None Views:1555 Comments:3
To have our local government try and crucify a guy whos standing in LOVE Park and spreading a message of hope and peace is reminiscent of what happened 2,000 years ago and still patently disturbing
Philadelphia A skate around the ice in the new Dilworth Plaza rink, led to officers handcuffing and arresting Philly Jesus, aka Michael Grant in LOVE park.
Grant, who strolls around the Center City dressed in full Jesus attire, sporting robes, as well as long beard and hair, can often be found sharing scripture and has even been know to baptize people.
I bring the story of Jesus, the same way they bring it to the movies I bring it to the street,
After skating, for free, but having taken up a voluntary donation for the skate, Grant was harassed by Philadelphia police after being accused of accepting money for photos, he was subsequently arrested.
Officially, court records state he was arrested for disorderly conduct and failure to disperse.
Those are charges that, in my experience, the government uses when you dont do whatever the government wants you to do, or that the police officer wants you to do,
said Charles M. Gibbs, the lawyer Grant retained Saturday morning to represent him, according to Philly.com.
I considered myself completely healed and cured when I surrendered my heart to Jesus Christ.
Grant says he thinks the officer that arrested him recognized him from his using days, when he was homeless, addicted to drugs, and would panhandle in Suburban Station, Gibbs said, according to Philly.com.
Gibbs said Grant has been sober and drug free for over a year.
The officer told Grant to vacate the area, but Grant refused, Gibbs said, because it was an unlawful order to leave a public park. Gibbs added that Grant was simply talking to people and taking photographs with them, something he has been doing for months in the LOVE Park, Center City area.
According to Grant,
I tell people I do not charge but tips and donations are always welcome.
It seems that in City of Brotherly Love, and Birthplace of Liberty, even a guy dressed as Jesus that ice skates, share scripture and baptizes people for tips/donations, falls victim to the authoritarian and repressive police state.
As a recovering addict and victim of the drug war, Philly Jesus, rather than being harassed by law enforcement, should be saluted for finding a new way to live and giving people hope.