WHO: ADF Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster

WHAT: Available for media interviews in People of the State of New York v. Raven

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 5 at 9 a.m. EST

WHERE: Chemung County Courthouse, 224 Lake St., Elmira

ELMIRA, N.Y. — ADF Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster will argue an appeal before a New York county court Wednesday on behalf of a group of Christians arrested and convicted for praying silently during a public event celebrating homosexual behavior.  In 2008, Julian Raven and three others were found “guilty” of disorderly conduct after they lay prostrate on the ground for a few moments during a “Gay Pride” event at a public park.

“Christians shouldn’t be punished for expressing their religious beliefs.  They have the same First Amendment rights as anyone else in America,” said Oster.  “The actions of the group remained peaceful at all times, a fact confirmed by an officer at the scene.  Arresting and convicting Christians for the crime of disorderly conduct as a result of silent prayer is not only ridiculous, it is blatantly unconstitutional.”

On June 23, 2007, seven Christians, including Julian and Gloria Raven, entered Wisner Park with their heads bowed to pray for the participants of the event. Materials advertising the event stated that it was open to the public and that all were invited.  The group made their way to an area in front of the event stage and prayed face down in the grass.

A police sergeant had earlier informed Julian Raven that he could not enter the public park, walk through the park, or speak to anyone about his religion in the park. After the group began to pray on their faces, police arrested them and charged them with disorderly conduct. They were eventually sentenced and charged a $100 fine.  Each member of the group was also ordered to pay court costs associated with the trial.

Attorney Laurence Behr of Buffalo is serving as local counsel in the case.