Black Pastor jailed for excercising First Amendment rights

February 23, 2009 - 2:04pm — Michele Combs

Americans' religious rights and First Amendment rights continue to be eroded as evidenced by the jailing of a black pastor from a Berkeley, California church last week. He was the first person convicted -- two months ago -- under Oakland's law preventing pro-life protesters from coming within 8 feet of anyone entering an abortion clinic.

The Union City pastor, Walter Hoye, received a $1,000 fine, 30 days in jail (although in the future pro-lifers can be actually be put in jail for up to two years) and 3 years' probation. This courageous pastor told the judge: "I believe that an unjust law is no law at all." Pastor Hoye even answered Alameda Superior Court Judge Hing's question of whether or not he would abide by an order to stay 100 yards away from the Oakland abortion clinic with a principled "No."

Pro-life activists called the anti-constitutional Oakland City Council law passed in 2007 an intrusion on their freedom of speech. Pastor Hoye -- as do pro-life demonstrators all over America -- passes out literature outside abortion clinics and sometimes carries a sign saying: "Jesus loves you and your baby. Let us help you!" Pastor Hoye asked women about to kill their unborn babies before they go into the abortion clinics: "May I talk to you about alternatives to the clinic?"

And for these caring actions by a caring pro-life pastor, he is now sentenced to go to jail. The head of the National Black Pro-life Congress said about Pastor Hoye's actions at the abortion clinic: "He never laid hands on anyone," Unless Christians in America wake up soon, their religious rights will be completely eroded.

Responces

Comments

Submitted by Dthomas on February 28, 2010 - 6:23pm.

Let me first begin by saying that I respect Pastor Hoye for standing up so passionately for his convictions. I believe abortion is wrong in most cases, and I believe Pastor Hoye is Biblically correct in his stance. That being said, I believe the 8 foot law was enacted for a reason. Women entering abortion clinics have the right to choose what to do with their unborn child. I am not condoning casual abortion, I am simply stating the current law. Women undergoing the difficult decision of aborting their child deserve respect. Pro-life protestors should be able to civilly offer alternatives to abortion outside of an individual's personal space. If Pastor Hoye broke the 8ft rule, then he invaded a woman's lawfully protected individual space. Well-intentioned or not, this act was not only illegal, but it may have been unloving because of the pressure it created on the woman entering the clinic. I do not see this law as an erosion of the First Amendment. Rather, I believe it advocates both freedom of speech and the right for individuals to make decisions without unwanted pressure. If Pastor Hoye is unwilling to civilly present his arguments outside of a woman's "safe zone", then he undermines his own position. He advocates for the right to life, but he has no problem infringing upon the rights of others.

Submitted by gktillma on March 12, 2009 - 12:44pm.

The story is interesting but what is more interesting is that you highlight the fact that he is a black pastor...does that mean that he is committed to a different Jesus. Nothing about this story is race related yet you prefer to call him a black pastor in lieu of the name Walter Hoye. The abortion issue is not a race issue but a human issue. We don't need to look very far to see why there is a large racial divide within the church. These are issues that every christian needs to individually ask God to search their heart because racism is alive and well in the church.....

Submitted by Soldier For Christ on March 2, 2009 - 12:10pm.

Not sure what all the details are on this, however if the pastor did violate the "8 foot" rule, yes he (and any of us for that matter) should have to pay for our iniquity. I do believe that we, as Christians, have a right to talk to these potential murderers, however we should recall what Christ told us in Matthew 5 "...love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteouos." God bless you all!

Submitted by GAikens on March 3, 2009 - 5:53pm.

This is an unconstitutional law. Daniel was faced with a law that tried to curtail his prayer time. He disobeyed that law because God was higher than that law. Whenever the government oversteps its boundaries and passes laws that are in violation of our religious and vocal freedoms then we must stand fast and not obey that law.
Syndicate content
© 2012 - Christian Coalition of America - Roberta Combs, President