Because Appling didn't go through the right channels of extortion and get his own property approved by the government to do with it what he wishes, officials are promising to extort him.
According to NBC Philadelphia, Kent County officials sent Appling a letter stating his church isn't zoned to let homeless people stay on the property. The letter warns that if the church doesn't act quickly, they could be fined $100 a day.
To be clear, a fine is backed by the threat of violence from the state for non-payment. If Appling continues to be a good samaritan by providing a woman with shelter and refuses to pay the $100 per day fine, he will receive a visit from armed agents of the state demanding payment.
If Appling refuses to pay the extortion fees to these armed agents, they will attempt to kidnap and cage him. If Appling resists his kidnappers, he will have violence enacted against him, and he could be legally killed.
Alexis Simms, a 21-year-old homeless mom who is battling lupus, has nowhere to go — and, the state is attempting to take the only thing she has positive in her life right now — pastor Appling's kindness.
"We want to stand up for her," Appling said. "Because there is nobody else to stand up for her."
Because the state needs to have a piece of red tape and a related fee declaring the church property a 'campground,' Simms could soon find herself back on the street. Again, to be clear, by 'rezoning' Appling's own property as a 'campground' nothing actually changes. This is simply a means by which the state can collect money from its citizens.
According to NBC Philadelphia, while county officials said the church can apply for re-zoning to make the land a campground, Appling says it would be too expensive. He's hoping the church and the county can reach a compromise before the fines begin.
Helping a homeless mother is not the only 'crime' the church has been accused of either. Last month, Appling announced a plan to build multiple tiny homes on his property to provide shelter for those in need. And, again, their good deed was quickly swatted down by the bureaucratic hand of government.
The good news is, the church is showing no signs of backing down. Instead of paying the fees, they are seeking to change the law entirely to put an end to such a tyrannical practice. We wish them luck in their endeavors.
"We have to choose at some point in time as believers who we're going to stand for and help," Appling said. "We're not against them we're just choosing we need to help this person more than we need to be pleasing to you."
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