Mike Warren : Another Pastor Unjustly Imprisoned

Mike Warren : Another Pastor Unjustly Imprisoned
by Cal Zastrow with an update by Jerry Crawford

Question: How many Birmingham, Alabama police officers does it take to force two petitioners off of the public sidewalk?

Answer: More than eight!

Last Saturday I spoke at a Constitution Party meeting in Jefferson County, Alabama. Afterwards, I conducted an on-the-job training session for volunteer Rocky Baer. We were collecting signatures from voters to get pro-life candidates on the ballot when a police officer politely asked us to leave. Since it was a public sidewalk, I respectfully declined. While he went to get support, I told Rocky what was going on and explained that I would risk arrest for remaining. He understood the situation and refused my offer to watch from across the street. "Naw, I'll stand with you."

A sergeant and seven officers surrounded us in a provocative stance. Although I was very respectful, I doubt that they appreciated my native Cheesehead accent, my quoting of the Bible, the U.S. Constitution, the Alabama State law, and the Alabama State motto: "We dare defend our rights." They eventually agreed with me and left us to continue petitioning. Things often don't turn out like that. Too many of us have been arrested for praying/witnessing on sidewalks in America.

A very dear friend of mine, Pastor Mike Warren, reported to jail today, June 3, to serve a thirty day sentence for praying on a public sidewalk. Federal Judge Arcara in Buffalo, New York, would not grant him a jury trial and found him guilty of being a Christian.

I talked to Mike and his wife Jean on the phone as they drove to jail this afternoon. Please send encouraging letters and cards to Pastor Mike in jail. He is only allowed to purchase a small number of stamps each week, so he may not be able to write back to you.

Pastor Mike Warren
Niagara County Jail
5526 Niagara Street Extension
Lockport, NY 14094-1804

Please use his address for the return address:

P.O. Box 311
Spencerport, NY 14559
(Put your address in the letter if you want to hear back from him.)

Thank you for praying for him, his wife Jean, their children, and their ministry. Please ask many others to write to him.
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JUNE 5, UPDATE

Jerry Crawford wrote to give us an update on day three of Pastor Mike's unjust incarceration. Mike had trouble sleeping last night. He's in pod 3 which was very cold. He has requested a sweatshirt but won't get it before Monday or Tuesday. His first contact was a drug offender who felt Mike was there just for him. There's a small group Bible study under way in his pod. Everyone has Spanish Bibles but welcomed Mike to read his in English so they can compare notes. He won't get commissary until Wednesday (no paper, pens or stamps). He's doing well and is looking forward to a family visit this week.