Chrome Lightning: May 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwskdn2FRV8

Whether it be the public proclamation of the Gospel message (Romans
10:14-15), opening thy mouth for the voiceless (Proverbs 31:8-9),
preaching to the poor and comforting the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18),
warning the wicked of their way (Ezekiel 33:8-9), we have the
obligation and right to share the message of Jesus Christ to the
world. I have recently been made aware of a situation involving people
who were doing just that. Evidently they were wrongly persecuted and
may be prosecuted for their faith and sharing their faith. In no way
does it appear they harassed or stalked any other person while
witnessing, but rather were simply sharing their faith with others.
With that said I am expressing my disgust for the way that they were
treated and the negligence of the authorities for honoring their
rights. Furthermore, I request their release, that all charges be
dropped and expunged along with a public apology be made by all
authorities involved. I greatly appreciate your attention to the
proper handling of this matter.

In detail, I request that the charges against Caleb Green, Candace
Knapschaefer, Katie Carroll and Jason Storms be dropped immediately.

I also request that the charges against Daniel Pollion be dropped immediately.

I would like to express my disgust over the actions of Officer Michael
Beane and the other officers involved in the arrests of the FSSOE
students.

I do not approve of his unlawful treatment of these Christians and I
am requesting that a full investigation into the handling of the
matter by the Sinclair Community College Police Department be
conducted.

To the editor of the Dayton Daily News, I would appreciate a follow-up
of this situation be reported on once those involved handle the above
matters in the most honorable manor and make a public apology for the
wrongful treatment of those who were simply sharing their faith.

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Repent America - Calling A Nation In Rebellion Toward God To Repentance

NEWS RELEASE
05/21/2009

For Immediate Release

Contact: Michael Marcavage, Director, Repent America, (800)373-7368, Ext. 5

Jason Storms, Director, Faithful Soldier of Evangelism, (262)623-2194

REPENT AMERICA DENOUNCES THE ARREST OF FIVE CHRISTIANS ON OHIO COLLEGE CAMPUS

PHILADELPHIA - Repent America (RA) denounces the unlawful police actions by the Sinclair Community College Police Department against five student evangelists who had been arrested yesterday while sharing the Biblical message of sexual purity on the public campus of Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio.

Yesterday, at approximately 11:30 a.m., nine members with Faithful Soldier School of Evangelism (FSSOE) arrived at Sinclair Community College to begin their Gospel outreach. As a crowd of students gathered, the evangelists engaged in one-on-one witnessing, the distribution of literature, the display of Scriptural signs and open-air preaching.

Twenty minutes later, Officer Michael Beane approached the group of Christians and stated they were "trespassing" on the public campus. When one of the Christians with the group, Caleb Green, tried to discuss the situation with the officer, he was consequently arrested. Candace Knapschaefer, a 19-year-old FSSOE student who was standing nearby, was also arrested as she held a sign that stated, "Christ died for you. Will you live for Him?"

- Click here to view a short video clip of an unknown female police officer threatening Knapschaefer prior to her arrest. Caleb Green can be seen in the background being led away by Officer Michael Beane. -

Moments later, the Chief of Police, Charles J. Gift, arrived on the scene and informed the Christians that they did have a right to be on campus, but stated they could not distribute literature nor hold signs. Complying with Chief Gift's directions, the outreach continued peacefully and productively as FSSOE director Jason Storms ministered to the growing crowd of students.

After 3 p.m., as Officer Beane was leaving for the day, Storms approached the officer to caringly inquire about the status of the two of his students that had been arrested. Beane bluntly answered, "I don't have to answer your questions. I am off duty." When Storms followed the officer inside to ask if he could have his name, Beane then threatened that he would be arrested for harassment. Moments later, Officer Beane directed two policemen from the administration building to arrest Storms who was then cited for "disorderly conduct" and released.

Faithful Soldier student Katie Carroll, who had accompanied Storms into the building, caught Storms' discussion with Officer Beane and the ensuing arrest on camera. As Storms was taken into custody, Carroll was told by the officers to leave the building, and promptly joined the others outside. Several minutes later, Carroll was approached by Beane, who demanded that she hand over the footage. She politely declined.

Another Faithful Soldier School student, Daniel Pollion, who stepped in between Carroll in attempt to reason with Beane about his demands for confiscation was immediately put into a headlock and thrown to the ground. Ironically, "off-duty" Officer Beane then radioed into headquarters that Pollion had punched him in the face, and consequently had him charged with assault. Carroll was also arrested by one of the several officers who had now consequently descended on the scene.

However, numerous eyewitnesses consisting of both Sinclair students and other FSSOE members have come forward to file police reports that there was never any punch thrown by Pollion, but that it was instead Officer Beane's actions that constituted assault. Sadly, Daniel Pollion may be facing falsified felony charges and remains in jail awaiting a hearing.

"One bad deed often leads to another," FSSOE director Jason Storms stated. "After Officer Beane unlawfully arrested one of my students, his out of control behavior escalated even further, and now an innocent man remains in jail," he lamented. "How far is Chief Gift willing to go to protect the outrageous and unlawful actions of his officers? It is beyond me how Officer Beane was given a badge and a gun. He gives a bad name to the entire department," Storms concluded.

Repent America director Michael Marcavage states that these arrests are another chilling example of the ongoing governmental crackdown on basic civil liberties.

"The allegations and actions by campus police in this case are particularly disturbing," Marcavage stated. "It is quite evident that the Sinclair Community College Police Department is poorly trained in constitutional law, and their Barney Fife behavior will only continue to endagner the safety and well being of the campus community if the department is left unchecked," Marcavage concluded. "It is imperative that Christians across the nation raise their voices against this injustice," Marcavage concluded.

###

A CALL TO ACTION:

1)    Pray for those who have been arrested and that the Lord's will would be done in this situation.
2)    Call the City of Dayton Prosecutor Deirdre Logan at (937) 333-4114 or (937) 333-4100, and/or e-mail her at deirdre.logan@cityofdayton.org and request that the bogus charges against Caleb Green, Candace Knapschaefer, Katie Carroll and Jason Storms be dropped immediately.
3)      Call the Montgomery County Prosecutor Mathias H. Heck Jr. at (937) 225-5757, and/or e-mail him at heckm@mcohio.org and request that the charges against Daniel Pollion be dropped immediately. Prosecutor Heck will be handling this particular case due to the felony charges involved.
4)    Call the Sinclair Community College Chief of Police Charles J. Gift at (937) 512-2700, and/or e-mail him at charles.gift@sinclair.edu and express your disgust over the actions of Officer Michael Beane and the other officers involved in the arrests of the FSSOE students.
5)    E-mail Officer Michael Beane at michael.beane8821@sinclair.edu and tell him that you do not approve of his unlawful treatment of these Christians.
6)    Call the Sr. Vice President and Chief Information Officer Kenneth Moore at (937) 512-3107, and/or e-mail him at kenneth.moore@sinclair.edu, requesting that he conduct a full investigation into the handling of the matter by the Sinclair Community College Police Department.
7)    Make your voice heard to the editor of the Dayton Daily News by e-mailing your letter to: edletter@daytondailynews.com

About Repent America

Repent America (RA) is an evangelistic organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which zealously labors to further the Kingdom of God through Biblical evangelism. RA is a small operation with a BIG mission as it reaches out to tens of thousands of people each month with the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Whether it be the public proclamation of the Gospel message (Romans 10:14-15), opening thy mouth for the voiceless (Proverbs 31:8-9), preaching to the poor and comforting the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18), warning the wicked of their way (Ezekiel 33:8-9), or working to preserve our liberties to do so, Repent America continues to "fight the good fight of faith." (1 Timothy 6:12) Please join in the fight with us by clicking here to make a donation to keep us on the streets, so that we can continue to impact America with the truth of God's Word!