Feb 19, 2009, Oakland, Ca. Pro-life Christians from No. California, including 15 Sohlnet sidewalk counselors and prolife activists from the Sacramento area packed out the courtroom and the hallway where Pastor Walter Hoye III was sentenced to jail for quietly standing outside an Oakland abortion “clinic” offering help to abortion minded women and men. Hoye had earlier been found guilty of violating an Oakland ordinance that had been crafted by pro-abortion advocates to keep Hoye away from the clinic.

 

In anticipation of the sentencing the prolife community, including three prominent out of state African American pastors, gathered in Oakland for two prayer and strategy meetings in the week preceding the trial. Sohlnet’s Bud Reeves and John Ficker were invited to, and attended, these meetings based on our long time prolife ministry, experience and our close relationship with Pastor Hoye. On the day of the trial, Bud and John drove two van loads of concerned Christians to Oakland to stand in solidarity with Walter. We arrived in Oakland for an 11 A.M. prayer meeting and at 12 P.M. we proceeded to the courthouse.  After passing though security the African American Pastors led us in singing spirituals as we proceeded to the fifth floor. Soon there after about 150 supporters, Christians from across the denominational spectrum were squeezed into the hallway (shown at right). Only 30 Christians were allowed in as well as 30 supporters of abortion who chanted pro-choice slogans in an attempt to interrupt the prayers and hymns of the Christians.

When Walter, his legal team from Life Legal Defense Fund (LLDF) and the Black pastors exited the courtroom we learned that the judge had sentenced Walter to 30 days in jail, fined him more than eleven hundred dollars, placed him on 3 years probation and given him a stay away order at the clinic. When Walter refused the offer of the judge to take his jail sentence on weekends, the judge seemed taken aback, releasedWalter with no restrictions and set a return to court date of March 20th. We all exited singing “We Shall Overcome.” We all then marched to the City Hall where a rally for Walter was held. It was glorious.

 

 

From Bud’s Desk:
A good friend of mine and fellow activist prolife Christian, Rev. Walter Hoye II just this past Thursday made his theology biography when he courageously faced a jail sentence after being framed and found guilty of crimes he did not commit.: Before sentencing Walter recalls his thoughts and emotions: “To fully appreciate how much this moment impacted me, you have to understand that during the thirteen (13) days of my trial I sat in the defendant’s chair listening to false accusations, the vilification of my character and arguments on why my freedom should be taken away from me. Today, however, is different. Today, the courtroom and the hallways are packed with the saints of God standing with my wife (Lori) and I. Today, God’s own from around the world are praying for Lori and I, as we stand ready to receive Judge Hing’s decision. Today I have three (3) African-American Pastors (my brothers) standing up and speaking up for me and as they spoke I felt Heaven’s strength rising in my heart. Today is different, because after each of my brothers stood up and spoke up on my behalf, it will finally be my turn to speak.

Judge Hing: “Do you have anything to say before I pronounce sentence?” “The words of Judge Hing pierce my heart as I realize I am moments away from his decision. (Below I have provided some of Walter’s quotes as space does not allow for all of them) “This is what I said: Your Honor, I believe an unjust law is no law at all. I believe the law that I have been convicted of is an unjust law.

 

It is my intention to continue my efforts to save the life of the unborn child by reaching out to the men and women going into the abortion clinic with the love of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. … (Judge Hing then sentenced Rev. Hoye to 30 days in jail with fines and probation but then offered to allow Walter to serve his jail sentence by community service on weekends. Walter declined this offer and was willing to go immediately to jail, a procedure that ordinarily would follow his refusal of the weekend deal.) Again, Judge Hing asks me to accept his terms of probation. And again, I refuse to agree to give up my constitutionally guaranteed free speech rights.”

Walter then quoted Dr. Martin Luther King in justifying his refusal to obey an unjust law and the moral responsibility to disobey an unjust law. At this point the Judge should have ordered his bailiffs to place Walter in handcuffs and transport him to jail. Inexplicitly, he did not and Walter was free and ordered back to court on March 20th.

May God grant me, our pastors, priests, Christian leaders, and all of us, the courage and boldness that our God has called us to and which Walter has demonstrated. Then, with the Apostles who were threatened with imprisonment and death, we will pray together: “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” (Acts 4:29)

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