Police: Area men assaulted at anti-gay-marriage rally

Four men with a Spring Grove-based pro-family organization has condiments, paint and pepper spray thrown at them as they protested gay marriage at a rally in Rhode Island last week.

[questions]

Any chance these chicks will be charged with a hate crime? I would be surprised if they get anything but a fine or community service. The only thing the men said was, they were "Antichrist, homosexuals and sinners." Hardly gay slurs. The last two are facts(since as Christians we believe all are sinners and come short of the glory of God). The first one is a bit of a stretch. I mean I would think the anti-christ would have more important things to do than throw condiments at protesters!

[curious]

I think this group should concentrate on visiting the Catholic Churches and Schools around here to make sure that the children aren't being molested by the priest.

[dont understand]

I'm not even going to read this article past the first few sentences.
Believe what you want but there is absolutely no reason why you have to protest someone else's beliefs; regardless of your belief and religious base. You have no right! Get your own life and leave others alone.

[fanofsummer]

Dear Dont Understand, what country do you live in? Of course everyone has a right to protest! Ever hear of a little thing called the Boston Tea Party? How about the march on Washington to protest the Vietnam war? For God's sake, even the KKK has a right to protest. I don't care what side of the issue you stand - protests are one thing that sets this country apart from the likes of Cuba and China.

[devons]

I agree, this should be considered a hate crime....at least based on what this article says. The only sticking point is that it's not because they were heterosexual and it's not because of their religion. I'm not sure something like this is covered as a hate crime.

Interesting.

[LAK]

"Curious" - your anti-Catholic bias is showing.
That said, this is an issue that's never going away. Like abortion, it will always be an issue that will be seen in black and white, hardly ever in shades of gray. A group certainly has a right to protest. The opposing group has a right to counter-protest. But, in this case, it's going to boil down to a "he said / she said" issue with nothing resolved - and no convictions.

[Nico]

Nothing good can come of traditionalist Catholics from rural Pa. demonstrating near a Rhode Island shopping mall. It's one thing to demonstrate in one's own state or in the national capital; it's quite another to drive to tolerant New England in order to shout at the local gays and lesbians.

@questions: Current hate-crime law doesn't include as applicable motivations actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The so-called Matthew Sheppard Act, pending in committee in Congress, would add these categories.

[Nico]

In the Spring Grove men's defense, the "Providence Journal" article mentions why the men chose Rhode Island, along with some other context the "Evening Sun"'s article lacks.

http://www.projo.com/ri/warwick/content/WARWI...

[curious]

LAK wrote:

"Curious" - your anti-Catholic bias is showing.
That said, this is an issue that's never going away. Like abortion, it will always be an issue that will be seen in black and white, hardly ever in shades of gray. A group certainly has a right to protest. The opposing group has a right to counter-protest. But, in this case, it's going to boil down to a "he said / she said" issue with nothing resolved - and no convictions.

I will always let my Anti-Catholicism opinion / fact show. Have a great day.

[lawl]

I don't condone the actions of these lesbians and whatnot, but I certainly can't blame them either. One day, I hope these bigots are treated with the same derision and scorn as KKK members.

[just saying]

i wish to address any young people that maybe reading this str8 and gay.
the young lesbians should have shown restriant any time you react to these protestors ..you simply give them what they want a reaction. they are like bullies at school. Ignore them take the high road. Show some love and tolerance .thats what the gay and lesbian community want.
And as for curious,cudos
and for the protestors. hate is not a christian belief. Nor is it gods intention for us to hate each other. Afterall didnt God hang out with hookers.and the such
The LGBT comunnity is not gojng anywhere. Just like Blacks didnt and Jews and any other persecuted or descriminated group in society.

[just saying]

my children and i went to the fairy festival and these same people were there to. My children couldnt understand why people would protest such a happy, joyous,loving gathering of people.
I just told them people are afraid of what they don't undertand. And unfortunetely people learn what they live. Hate ,fear, descrimination and prejudice are learned things.
So people don't teach your kids to hate. Teach tolerance acceptance and love...Just my two cents.

[Confused]

I cannot believe these people traveled so far to protest. Don't they have family or friends or a job or a real hobby that could fill their time instead?

[wake up people]

just saying wrote:

my children and i went to the fairy festival and these same people were there to. My children couldnt understand why people would protest such a happy, joyous,loving gathering of people.
I just told them people are afraid of what they don't undertand. And unfortunetely people learn what they live. Hate ,fear, descrimination and prejudice are learned things.
So people don't teach your kids to hate. Teach tolerance acceptance and love...Just my two cents.

well put. everyone is entitled to their opinion and their own lifestyle.. who is anyone to tell them they are wrong? i don't understand why we can't all just agree to disagree and get on with our lives.. there are so many more important things we could be doing with our time then protesting because we dont like how someone else lives their life.. it's THEIR life after all. i've never seen a violent gay couple.. unless they are provoked. so stop provoking them, and leave them ALONE!!! they are not hurting anyone by being gay, get over it!

[have to comment]

Do you think the folks in their home towns are going to be saying, "Dude, you got your butt whooped by a girl!"

[just saying]

wake up people:thanks for the support. I am so sick and tired of people being juudged for who they happen to fall in love with. I know plenty of gays and lesbians who are hard working ,tax paying, family oriented people. Its the gay and lesbians that i know that are taking care of their elderly pparents. Making sure they have their grass mowed and groceries gotten. And take them to doc appts. My parents would be greatful for a child like that. Geez they cant even get my brothers to come help clean out gutters so my crippled dad doesnt have to do it. But it was my lesbian friends that came and did it. It was my gay and lesbian friends that came and helped me move when my own brothers would not. And it was a gay man that made sure my kids had food on the table and that i had anything i needed when my husband walked out on us. So i am sorry if i have a soft spot in my heart for the LGBT community but they've been there for me and mind for many years .and all i got to say is if someone doesnt want to be a friends to a person just because they are gay. then i'll take em because they are missing out on knowing some of the best people you will come accross.
(stepping off my soapbox)

[curious]

just saying wrote:

my children and i went to the fairy festival and these same people were there to. My children couldnt understand why people would protest such a happy, joyous,loving gathering of people.
I just told them people are afraid of what they don't undertand. And unfortunetely people learn what they live. Hate ,fear, descrimination and prejudice are learned things.
So people don't teach your kids to hate. Teach tolerance acceptance and love...Just my two cents.

Excellent example of Great Parenting. Bless you.

[just saying]

thanks curious

[galvodog6]

catholic based? isnt that the same religion that allows their own religious clercis to have sex with underage boys and pays off the families when court time comes?

[just saying]

i am beginnig to think that my 78 yr old mom is right...the world would be better off with out organized religion...afterall most wars are religion based.
And keep in mind statiscally speaking most child molesters are str8 folks. go figure.