(AgapePress) - All charges have been dropped against four Christians who were arrested in October for sharing the gospel at a pro-homosexual event in Philadelphia. Charges pending against a minor who was also arrested at the time are expected to be dismissed as well.

Last fall, Philadelphia police arrested 11 Christians as they were taking part in street witnessing on a public sidewalk at a “gay pride” event. Charges were dropped against six of the believers in January, but the four adults and one juvenile — all members of the group Repent America — faced serious charges under Philadelphia’s “hate crimes” laws. Those five were charged with criminal conspiracy, “ethnic intimidation,” and riot. In a case that brought national attention, each of the five faced as much as 47 years in prison if convicted.

Now charges have been dropped against the four adults. On Thursday (February 17), Court of Commons Pleas Judge Pamela Dembe dismissed the charges, ruling that peaceful expressive activities like those of the Christian demonstrators are fully protected by the First Amendment. She also stated that prosecutors were unable to make even a minimal showing of any criminal conduct.

To read the full story including information about their federal lawsuit against the city for trying to suppress the first amendment please go here.

Earlier this month, legislation was introduced to remove the wording that was added back in November 2002 when ‘actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity’ were added. Back when the wording was added, legislators and other opponents warned then that the law could be used against the First Amendment rights of Christians, a charge sponsors adamantly denied was the intent. Diane Gramley of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania even recalls one of the measure’s supporters accusing opponents of having “an active imagination,” and saying the bill was about “thugs, hooligans, murderers, and blood in the street,” not about infringing on the rights of Christians.

That was until the pro-homosexual Outfest event in October 2004, when the “ethnic intimidation” charge against the arrested Christians was drawn from Act 143. Gramley says opponents of the measure now have the proof they need — and 17 of them have co-sponsored House Bill 204.

To read more about the bill go here.