Freedom of Speech Destroyed in Mississippi
Wednesday, December 12, 2012 10:10:59 PM
Campus Outreach Director, Kristina Garza, traveled to Jackson, MS, this past Friday to testify in court regarding the unlawful arrest of herself and fellow Campus Life Team member, Brianna Baxter, by Jackson police in March 2012.Kristina and Brianna were arrested in front of Murrah High School while handing out pro-life literature on a public sidewalk -- well within their first amendment rights. They were kept in jail for over 24 hours, much of which was spent in a men's jail, and were not even informed of their charges until well after midnight.
On Friday, December 7th, Hinds County Justice Court Judge Ivory Britton presided over the Jackson trial and found Kristina and Brianna guilty of trespassing and disorderly conduct, despite the fact that the prosecution could only provide two arresting officers as witnesses and absolutely no video or photographic evidence that either Kristina or Brianna had acted outside of the law. The video offered to Judge Britton from Survivors was denied admittance.
Following the trial, our attorneys with Life Legal submitted an immediate appeal, which qualifies Kristina and Brianna for a trial de novo (a completely new trial) to be held at a later date.
Check out the local news coverage of the trial with the links below.
• Watch Kristina Speak to the Press Directly After Her Trial!
• Public Sidewalk NOT Public, Per Judge
• LifeNews Lays Down the Facts
• Pro-Life Activists Will Appeal Unjust Verdict
For background information on the incident, check out Stand True Founder, Bryan Kemper's immediate report at time of the arrest, or read up here.
Please keep Kristina and Brianna in your prayers as they soldier on against such obvious injustice. We will keep you updated as this ongoing battle for free speech develops. Your financial contributions are also greatly appreciated in light of legal fees.

Unregistered user # Friday, December 21, 2012 11:58:55 PM