David Benham was shocked
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Dear John,
David Benham couldn’t believe it.
“I was shocked,” he said.
As David was handcuffed, put into a squad car, and taken to jail, he couldn’t help but wonder what he did to deserve this.
On the morning of April 4, David and several members from his pro-life group, Cities4Life, were peacefully praying for and counseling pregnant mothers in need, outside an abortion facility in Charlotte, North Carolina. The group was following COVID-19 social distancing guidelines by not gathering in groups larger than 10 and staying at least six feet away from each other.
Still, David was arrested for praying and speaking—both of which are protected under the First Amendment.
Isn’t it ironic, John? While an abortion business was allowed to continue ending the lives of innocent babies during the COVID-19 outbreak, pro-life advocates were arrested for praying outside!
Alliance Defending Freedom is defending David and working to get the charges against him dropped.
In America, the government can’t treat people of faith as second-class citizens. The First Amendment makes that clear.
David and other volunteers for Cities4Life were following the stay-at-home order—they weren’t breaking any law. And yet, because they were expressing a viewpoint that the government didn’t agree with, they were arrested.
That’s unconstitutional.
Government officials were clearly targeting David Benham for his pro-life views and religious beliefs. Please rise to the challenge to defend freedom and further the impact of the grant with your tax-deductible gift today!
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The next generation is counting on you to stand for freedom
David wasn’t the only person arrested that day.
Among the other pro-life advocates who were given citations or hauled off to jail was David’s 20-year-old son.
It was a surreal experience for all of them.
David’s passion for the sanctity of life is a direct result of his father’s pro-life witness. When David was just 13 years old, he saw his father be arrested outside an abortion facility during a prayer walk.
While abortion activists screamed obscenities, the pro-lifers prayed and sang “Amazing Grace.”
The contrast was unnerving.
But David soon learned that it didn’t matter how peaceful the pro-lifers were. It didn’t matter that they weren’t breaking any laws.
Their pro-life views and their religious beliefs would not be tolerated.
Now fast forward more than 30 years.
Three generations of Benham men were arrested on the same day because of what they stand for—what they believe.
This is unacceptable, John.
The First Amendment protects the free speech rights of all people—not just those who happen to agree with the government. If we want to protect the legacy of freedom here in America for our children and grandchildren, we must act now. We must be willing to stand for our freedoms when they’re threatened.
David’s father taught him that. And now David is teaching his children the same thing—to take a stand, even when it comes at a cost.
Will you help defend David and others like him who are being punished and silenced because of what they believe?
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Your freedoms are fragile and must be defended
This isn’t the first time David has been punished because of his faith.
After college, David and his twin brother Jason played minor league baseball before becoming real estate entrepreneurs. In 2014, their success prompted producers at HGTV to enlist them for a home improvement reality show.
Those plans were canceled after leftist groups published high-profile reports targeting the brothers’ opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage.
The Benham brothers were stunned.
David and Jason had hoped their newfound fame would give them a platform to speak out for the unborn, for our rights as Americans, and for the Gospel.
Despite their disappointment, the brothers decided to use their talents for good anyway.
They launched Cities4Life and never looked back.
But that experience also taught David an important lesson: We are in a spiritual battle—we must be willing to fight for our faith and freedom.
That’s why David is taking a stand against efforts to silence him once again.
Our First Amendment freedoms are the foundation upon which America was built. Free speech and religious freedom are God-given rights. And they must be defended.
As David said, our “constitutional rights don’t go out the door because we’re in the middle of a global pandemic.”
John, David Benham’s story shows just how fragile these freedoms are. And how desperately we need to fight for them when they’re threatened—especially by our own government.
Please make your tax-deductible gift today to stand against government overreach and defend people like David who are being punished for their faith.
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When we stand together, we can win!
Being a person of faith isn’t a crime, John. But some government officials are acting like it is.
Ever since the restrictions due to COVID-19 began, Alliance Defending Freedom has assisted, or equipped others to assist, over 3,000 churches and ministries.
In many cities and states, churches and ministries like David’s are being silenced or forced to close due to COVID-19 restrictions. Meanwhile other businesses—like restaurants and even casinos—are allowed to remain open.
Pastors have been threatened with criminal punishment. Church services have been interrupted. And yes, people of faith have been arrested.
We continue to see religious and pro-life leaders and organizations treated differently than secular ones.
This must stop.
ADF attorneys are working overtime to ensure that people of faith across the country get the legal help they need to push back against this government overreach.
But this work is only possible with God’s blessing (John 15:5) and your faithful prayers and financial support.
Year after year, we’ve seen God’s blessing when people of faith stand together to defend our most cherished freedoms. And we’re trusting God to move in the hearts of people like you right now to help protect free speech and religious freedom during this critical time.
So please don’t wait.
Your tax-deductible gift defends people like David who are being targeted for their faith right now. Generous Ministry Friends have given a $500,000 challenge grant to encourage you to help protect the legacy of freedom here in America for your children and grandchildren.
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Thank you for giving generously.
DONATE NOW
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