Post by Paddy by Grace on Feb 23, 2010 2:25:10 GMT -7
Street preachers killed for practicing their religion, activist Rev. Mahoney says
www.palmbeachpost.com/news/street-preachers-killed-for-practicing-their-religion-activist-254151.html?cxtype=rss_news
BOYNTON BEACH — A Virginia religious activist placed yellow roses on the pavement of Southwest Second Avenue on Friday, in memory of two men shot to death there on Jan. 30
Pat Mahoney, head of the Christian Defense Council, is concerned that the two men were killed because they were preaching the Christian Gospel.
Tite Sufra and Stephen Ocean, both 24, were shot around 8 p.m. on Jan. 30, after they preached to a young man for about 15 minutes near the public library. On Feb. 3, Jeriah Woody, 18, was arrested for their murders. Police have characterized the incident as possibly a revenge killing based on a gang-related grudge. Sufra and Ocean, who both had previous criminal records, converted to a church whose mission is to save young people from lives of crime.
"We have spoken with numerous witnesses," Boynton Beach Police Chief G. Matthew Immler said Friday, "as well as the suspect, and at this point we have no reason to believe that the victims' religious activities or beliefs factored into the commission of this crime."
Mahoney, who heads the Christian Defense Coalition, says that his and similar organizations will fight to prove the two men died while exercising their right to free speech and declaring their religious faith.
Mahoney, better known as the head of the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue, met with police before his press conference.
"We are pleading with the city of Boynton Beach, do not sweep the faith issue under the carpet," Mahoney said.
He is also drafting a letter to U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder asking Holder to investigate whether the murders broke federal civil rights laws. Religious materials were found in the pockets of both Sufra and Ocean, Mahoney said.
Before placing the yellow roses —"for friendship," said Mahoney -- he read from Psalm 27, "The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear?"
Mahoney said he was praying also for the other members of Sufra's and Ocean's church, particularly one who witnessed the shootings, now in fear for their lives.
Their fear of reprisals is another indicator that their ability to declare their faith openly is now limited by the possibility of violence, he said.
Neighbors stood respectfully nearby as Mahoney spoke, but they disagreed with his theory of the crime.
"It's a wonderful gesture, he's got the right idea, but I don't think (the killer was) aiming at religion," said John Stewart, after shaking Mahoney's hand.
Mahoney is seeking city permits to hold a rally for Ocean and Sufra on May 15.
www.palmbeachpost.com/news/street-preachers-killed-for-practicing-their-religion-activist-254151.html?cxtype=rss_news
BOYNTON BEACH — A Virginia religious activist placed yellow roses on the pavement of Southwest Second Avenue on Friday, in memory of two men shot to death there on Jan. 30
Pat Mahoney, head of the Christian Defense Council, is concerned that the two men were killed because they were preaching the Christian Gospel.
Tite Sufra and Stephen Ocean, both 24, were shot around 8 p.m. on Jan. 30, after they preached to a young man for about 15 minutes near the public library. On Feb. 3, Jeriah Woody, 18, was arrested for their murders. Police have characterized the incident as possibly a revenge killing based on a gang-related grudge. Sufra and Ocean, who both had previous criminal records, converted to a church whose mission is to save young people from lives of crime.
"We have spoken with numerous witnesses," Boynton Beach Police Chief G. Matthew Immler said Friday, "as well as the suspect, and at this point we have no reason to believe that the victims' religious activities or beliefs factored into the commission of this crime."
Mahoney, who heads the Christian Defense Coalition, says that his and similar organizations will fight to prove the two men died while exercising their right to free speech and declaring their religious faith.
Mahoney, better known as the head of the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue, met with police before his press conference.
"We are pleading with the city of Boynton Beach, do not sweep the faith issue under the carpet," Mahoney said.
He is also drafting a letter to U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder asking Holder to investigate whether the murders broke federal civil rights laws. Religious materials were found in the pockets of both Sufra and Ocean, Mahoney said.
Before placing the yellow roses —"for friendship," said Mahoney -- he read from Psalm 27, "The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear?"
Mahoney said he was praying also for the other members of Sufra's and Ocean's church, particularly one who witnessed the shootings, now in fear for their lives.
Their fear of reprisals is another indicator that their ability to declare their faith openly is now limited by the possibility of violence, he said.
Neighbors stood respectfully nearby as Mahoney spoke, but they disagreed with his theory of the crime.
"It's a wonderful gesture, he's got the right idea, but I don't think (the killer was) aiming at religion," said John Stewart, after shaking Mahoney's hand.
Mahoney is seeking city permits to hold a rally for Ocean and Sufra on May 15.