Birkey to discuss You Can Run on Michigan radio

Andy Birkey

Minnesota Independent reporter Andy Birkey will discuss his award-winning coverage of the Christian ministry/hard-rock band You Can Run But You Cannot Hide Thursday evening on “Declaring Independence,” the Grand Rapids, Mich., radio show hosted by Michigan Messenger editor Ed Brayton. Tune in life from 5–6 pm Central, or look for the podcast following the show.

Last month, Birkey won a first place Society of Professional Journalists’ Page One award for his continuing coverage of the ministry, which has drawn fire for holding overtly Christian assemblies at public schools. But since receiving the SPJ honor, the story has seen increased visibility, thanks to controversial statements by the group’s leader, Bradlee Dean, as well as ties to GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer.

“Muslims are calling for the executions of homosexuals in America,” Dean said on YCR’s May 15 radio show on AM 1280 the Patriot. “This just shows you they themselves are upholding the laws that are even in the Bible of the Judeo-Christian God, but they seem to be more moral than even the American Christians do, because these people are livid about enforcing their laws. They know homosexuality is an abomination.”

Dean has contested Birkey’s reporting, charging that his words, presented by the Minnesota Independent as an audio clip, were “twisted.”