Philly man slams City Council for honoring anti-ICE St Paul church stormer Jerome Richardson

A Philadelphia man critizied the Philadelphia City Council over a resolution honoring Jerome Richardson, a student who participated in the storming of a Minnesota church during an anti-ICE protest that included former CNN anchor Don Lemon.

The man, John Allante McAuley, is affiliated with the organization Flip Philly Red. Speaking out against the resolution, McAuley argued that Richardson’s actions went beyond free speech.

“In regards to Jerome Richardson, his First Amendment right was not violated. In fact, he committed a federal crime,” McAuley explained, accusing Richardson of violating the FACE Act, a federal law that protects religious places from interference and obstruction. He further accused Richardson of committing a conspiracy act for allegedly plotting to deprive people of their right to practice religion during a church service.

McAuley then critizied city leaders for focusing on events in Minnesota rather than what the city is currently facing.

“You guys are worried about what’s going on with Tampon Tin in Minnesota when we got problems here in Philadelphia that you need to be worried about. This is a silly resolution,” he said, noting poor education rankings in the city as an example of neglected priorities.

Richardson, age 21, was federally charged under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which has been applied to protect religious worship. He is accused of helping coordinate logistics and providing local contacts with Lemon for the protest that disrupted a service in St. Paul last month. Lemon has also been charged with FACE Act violations for his actions during the incident.