KKK Escorted into African-American Festival by Philadelphia Police to Protest the Rights of Blacks in America

During this year's annual African-American community pride celebration the Philadelphia Police Department escorted hooded KKK members into the festival grounds and allowed them to march through the grounds with complete disregard for the rights of individuals and families gathered peaceably to celebrate community. Many of them carrying signs against African-Americans ---"preaching" their hate, their megaphones drowning out more celebratory voices at the event.

The above headline and story are not true. Well, it's only a half truth.   I really can't imagine such a scenario where our African-American brothers and sisters, as well as, many others, would allow the Klan to walk among them in protest with their message of hate on any occasion.

And I can't imagine any scenario where the good people at the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) would think it wise to allow such a protest by the Klan.  Would the PPD not set up the Klan in a protected free speech zone, outside of the festival? 

Now, change the headline and have it read "Anti-Gay Fundamentalists Escorted into Queer Festival by Philadelphia Police to Protest the Rights of Queers in America." 

This, my friends, is unfortunately all too true. 

According to a news briefing in the Philadelphia Gay News (9/28/07), the Civil Affairs Unit of the PPD will allow anti-gay organizations inside OUTFEST 07 this Sunday (10/07).  It was reported that Captain William V. Fisher of the Civil Affairs Unit said that Repent America, an anti-gay hate group, will be allowed inside the event again this year.

It should be noted that the "leader" of this anti-gay-fundamentalist-hate-group claims that queers should be subject to capital punishment (put to death) because of their sinful nature and that all "laws" should be based upon the Christian "interpretation" of "scripture." 

Repent America also opposes and lobbies against all anti-discrimination and hate-crimes laws. They also advocate the repeal of any such laws that already exist.

QUEERtimes respects the First Amendment rights of all individuals and has no objection to any person(s) entering the festival boundaries for the purpose of handing out literature supporting their position, cause or business.  But we are 100% opposed to allowing any individual, organization or group to enter with banner(s), sign(s) and megaphone(s) for the purpose of protesting our presence, our events or, even, our very existence.

Why does the City of Philadelphia and the PPD continue to allow this assault on our community?  Is it because we are known to be a gentle and law-abiding a communi