First Amendment Rights Denied in Georgia as Pro-Life Activist is
Arrested on Public Sidewalk
Contact: Bruce and Louise Carper, 770-579-7017
to arrange an interview from jail
ATLANTA, Feb. 18 /
Christian
Newswire/ -- As things begin to heat up in a busy
legislative session in Georgia, and state lawmakers fight over
there own special interests some of these political tensions have
clearly lead to the arrest of one demonstrator this week. Robert
Roethlisberger Jr., of
Clarkston,
Georgia, was arrested on February 15, 2008, while holding a
sign promoting House Resolution 536 known as the "Human
Life Amendment." It is an attempt to place on this year's
election ballot an amendment to the state Constitution that would
protect human life at every stage of development.
Photo: Robert Roethlisberger just
prior to his arrest
"Having been arrested for criminal trespass while standing on
a street corner can only give you the idea that someone wants your
message to disappear," said Roethlisberger. "A 'right to
petition' are the last three words written in our first
amendment to 'The Bill
of Rights' but this right carries little meaning for if you
get arrested for expressing a need for change in government,"
says Roethlisberger about his most recent arrest.
Roethlisberger continues, "Everyone living in the state of
Georgia that believes in life needs to demand from Mr. Speaker
Glen Richardson that H.R.536 gets to the floor of the House for a
vote and also ask for there own State Assemblyman's support for
H.R.536 so that the people of Georgia can have this opportunity to
vote for life on their 2008 election ballot."