You Can Run But You Cannot Hide International

You Can Run But You Cannot Hide International (YCRBYCHI) was a United States Christian youth ministry that held assemblies, including music concerts and discussions with students, in public schools. Founded by Bradlee Dean in 2008, the organization was based in Annandale, Minnesota. YCRBYCHI's mission statement was: "To reshape America by re-directing the current and future generations both morally and spiritually through education, media, and the Judeo-Christian values found in our U.S. Constitution."[3]

You Can Run But You Cannot Hide International
AbbreviationYCRBYCHI
Formation2007 (2007)[1]
Dissolved2013
TypeYouth ministry
Headquarters125 Oak Ave Suite 200
Annandale, Minnesota 55302
Coordinates45°15′51″N 94°7′27″W
Founder
Bradlee Dean
President
Bradley Smith[2]
Budget
$836,223 (2010)[1]
Staff
31[1]
Volunteers
25[1]

The ministry has received testimonials from school officials and students "that praise the positive impact the assemblies had by stressing the importance of good choices and using a band to grab attention",[4] but has also drawn controversy for using assemblies for religious purposes, misleading school administrators about the nature of the program, and proselytizing its views on abortion and homosexuality.[5][6][7] The Southern Poverty Law Center designated the organization as an anti-gay hate group in March 2012.[8][9][10][11]

In September 2013, the You Can Run headquarters building in Annandale was put up for rent and there were reports of departures of the ministry's staff and the disbanding of its street teams.[12][13]

Ministry activities

Junkyard Prophet

YCRBYCHI was centered on their in-house Christian rapcore-nu metal band Junkyard Prophet,[14] with founder Bradlee Dean on drums, Rene Benton on guitar and vocals, Massey Campos on vocals and bass; and Wayne Ruark on lead vocals.[15][16] Dean, a survivor of multiple drug overdoses and jail incarcerations, broke into music in the 1980s. Since his conversion to evangelical Christianity, he has directed Junkyard Prophet's music toward aiding youths overcoming "trials and tribulations, persecutions, and afflictions...."[16] Dean's wife, Stephanie Dean, a former commercial actress, joins the band for sexual abstinence-themed songs.[14][15][17]

High school assemblies

The organization holds high school assemblies, which begin with a one-hour set from Junkyard Prophet, which incorporates a fog machine that has frequently set off school fire alarms,[16] while the noise-level of the music also led one high school staffer to warn students of permanent hearing loss at a 2005 assembly.[18] After their musical performance, Dean has typically given a lecture, where he puts forth his views on teen pregnancy, the Constitution, abstinence, abortion, and his belief that the media has a liberal slant while reporting.[19] During his interactive speech with the assembled students, Dean has frequently waded into controversial issues such as gun control, abortion, environmentalism, and education reform.[16] In drawing upon his past troubles with drugs, alcohol, sex, and violence, Dean speaks from his own personal experiences. In these talks, he has accused Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the USSR, of being behind "No Child Left Behind", (Bush's signature piece of educational reform) and the media of promoting a "gay agenda".[16]

Dean has claimed that "99.5 percent of everything we do in the assembly is accepted by the kids in an awesome way," though he maintains teachers are more resistant to the organization's message.[20] Some students, however, have maintained the assemblies presented cult-like propaganda that "encouraged bigotry and hate-mongering".[6]

Jonathan H. Ebel says "much of the history that YCRBYCH present is, in fact, either highly sanitized, inaccurate, or demonstrably false."[21] (One example of the "fudged statistics and half-truths" present in the program is an anecdote based on a frequently forwarded e-mail that confuses the Declaration of Independence with the U.S. Constitution.[22])

The organization has been at the center of multiple controversies for its school performances, many revolving around its presentation of religious material in public educational settings.[23] During an assembly at Pequot Lakes High School in 2007, students were shown graphic images of aborted fetuses and girls were made to chant about being submissive to their husbands. The assembly made students cry and angered parents.[7] A 2005 Arkansas assembly resulted in the principal later asserting that the group had "misrepresented" its "right-wing message" and that the group "won't be back".[7] A Wisconsin principal, whose school was visited in 2003, later called a second assembly to apologize to the students for allowing YCRBYCHI a forum for "brainwashing" a "captive audience".[7] A Tennessee principal also apologized to students in 2004 "for any controversy or heartache the assembly generated".[6]

Reported fees for school programs have ranged from $1200 to $5000.[7][24] In the past the organization has reduced or waived this fee if schools are unable to pay. A writer traveling with the group detailed instances in which the band's expenses exceeded its income or it has been forced to spend the night sleeping in cars.[16][24] The organization, which doesn't mention its aim to evangelize for Christianity in the "Principal Packet" it sends to school administrators,[7] has "repeatedly run afoul of school officials and students in recent years for promising to run a program on abstinence and drug abuse, and mentioning God only when in front of students".[6] Dean has affirmed that the assemblies are "used as a tool to have the hearts of the kids opened to receive ... the Christian message of hard-hitting truth without compromise",[25] though Dean says that school administrators are fully apprised of YCRBYCHI's program prior to the organizations's arrival.[26]

Jonathan Ebel, however, writes, "The full religiousness of YCR is not revealed until event staff offer departing students literature directing them to Web sites that make clear the ultra-conservative Protestant nationalism of the ministry."[27]

The Sons of Liberty

YCRBYCHI paid to air the radio show The Sons of Liberty, hosted by Dean and Jake McMillan, on WWTC Radio in Minneapolis and on the Genesis Communication Network.[28] While still streaming on the GCN website, WWTC canceled the program in May 2011 after the duo aired a lengthy song mocking African Americans.[29] WWTC's manager, protesting that staff members at his station were neither bigots nor racists, reported that "the divisive tone" of the show was objectionable to the "right spirit" of conservatism the station sought.[28] Dean later claimed that the show would reappear on KTLK-FM, a conservative talk station. Though admitting some talks had taken place, KTLK's station manager denied that the show had been signed. The Sons of Liberty was reinstated on WWTC after a three-month break.[28][30]

Political response

You Can Run But You Cannot Hide International has been supported by Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann[31] and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer. Emmer's campaign gave the organization $250 in 2008, prompting criticism due to the group's views on homosexuality.[32][33][34] Bachmann has praised the organization, appearing as a keynote speaker at their fundraisers.[7][35][36] Dean has indicated that both Bachmann and Emmer will appear in his upcoming documentary My War.[37]

In May 2011, Dean was invited to deliver a prayer[38] in front of the Minnesota House of Representatives. He was criticized by members of both parties for the prayer, largely due to the direct references to Jesus and perceived accusations against Democrats and President Obama. His history of statements against homosexuality, though not part of the prayer, also elicited complaints. His address was criticized by Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) representative Terry Morrow, who said that the hope of peace during the prayer had been "crushed by a single person's words." Majority Leader Matt Dean and speaker Kurt Zellers, both Republicans, also denounced Bradlee Dean; Zellers said inviting him to speak had been "a mistake", called him "a man I personally denounce," and said "I can only ask you for your forgiveness ... That type of person will never, ever be allowed on the House floor again." Representative Ernie Leidiger, a Republican who had invited Dean to speak in the first place, later apologized for the invitation and compared Dean's position on homosexuality to that of Nazi Germany. Dean was also denounced by the Minnesota Catholic Conference and DFL representatives Karen Clark and D. Scott Dibble; Clark called Dean "a hateful person".[39] In June 2011, presidential candidate Michele Bachmann was sprayed with glitter in Minnesota by gay-rights activist Rachel E.B. Lang who was upset with Bachmann's support of YCRBYCHI.[40]

In April 2012 the Minnesota State College Republican board threatened to revoke the charter of the St. Cloud State University chapter of College Republicans if they host a speech by Dean on campus. The College Republican group was "disgusted with the GOP's threats and voted unanimously to go ahead with the event as planned. While protest ensued, students stayed to hear Dean speak. They said Dean "has a strong conservative message. He's pro-constitutional, pro-family, pro-vets and he speaks about the core values of the GOP."[41][42][43]

Reception

YCRBYCHI has been praised by many churches and religious and conservative organizations,[44] and strongly criticized by civil rights groups and the media, primarily due to its opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage.

Proponents, such as former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, have endorsed the program for bringing "God and His law back to our public school system."[45] 2004 Presidential Candidate for the Constitution Party, Michael Peroutka, visited their Minnesota headquarters and wrote an article regarding his visit with the group on his website, The American View.[46] Dean has been featured in The New York Times,[47] Fox News,[48] and The Weekly Standard.[49]

Critics claim that the program oversteps its role in schools[50][51] and intimidates students.[52] Journalist Andy Birkey of the Minnesota Independent received the Minnesota Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists' Page One Award in 2010 for his reporting on YCRBYCHI.[53][54] In 2010, the group's connections to Tom Emmer were highlighted on The Rachel Maddow Show; during the episode, Rachel Maddow was critical of statements that Dean made on WWTC about the execution of homosexuals in Muslim countries. The statement, in part, was "Muslims are calling for the execution of homosexuals in America. They themselves are holding up the laws that are even in the Bible, the Judeo-Christian God but they seem to be more moral than even the American Christians..." Maddow mentioned Dean's disclaimer on this particular report which said, "We have never and will never call for the execution of homosexuals."[55] In May 2011, Maddow again reported on Dean's statements, this time in connection to Michele Bachmann, a potential presidential candidate at the time. In this report, Maddow did not reference Dean's claim that he did not call for homosexual executions. She instead stated, "Foreign enemies rising up because Christians are not doing enough to kill the gays," and accused Dean and Bachmann of being "bloodthirsty."[56] Dean has made numerous statements opposing LGBT-rights, including advocating incarceration of homosexuals and going as far as to state that homosexuality is against the law in the U.S. Dean has accused the media, specifically MSNBC, as catering to "progressives, meaning a generally secular, frequently atheist, pro-gay rights, socialist, and big-government market among its viewers."[57][58]

In response to media coverage, Dean has written an editorial alleging that his statements were taken out of context,[59] and produced a video[60] which sought to rebut the media's reporting on his statements. Dean claimed her second report prompted death threats.[61][62][63] On July 27, 2011, Dean initiated a defamation lawsuit against MSNBC, Maddow, journalist Andy Birkey, and the Minnesota Independent, alleging that they intentionally misrepresented Dean's statements in order to advance a "homosexual agenda", and seeking more than $50,000,000 in damages.[64] Dean was represented in the case by right-wing attorney Larry Klayman. Dean lost the case in June 2012, and was ordered to pay a total of $24,625.23 to defendants MSNBC & Rachel Maddow.[65] Dean reacted to this defeat with the claim that "Judges are to enforce the law, not to defend lawbreakers and then award them money."[66]

The nonprofit civil rights organization[8][9][10] Southern Poverty Law Center designated the organization as an anti-gay hate group in March 2012.[11]

References
  1. "2010 IRS Form 990 federal tax return". GuideStar. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  2. "Business Filing Details". State of Minnesota. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  3. "About Us". You Can Run International. Archived from the original on September 29, 2009. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
  4. Kovaleski, Serge F. (September 23, 2011). "Michele Bachmann and the Making of an Acolyte". The New York Times.
  5. Sauer, Abe (October 13, 2010). "'My War': Bradlee Dean's Popular Struggle Against Those Criminal, Child-Molesting Gays". The Awl.
  6. Fecke, Jeff (November 3, 2007). "Because God said: Youth ministry uses deception to gain access to public schools". Minnesota Independent. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  7. Birkey, Andy (September 30, 2009). "Bachmann to raise funds for controversial Christian punk ministry". Minnesota Independent. Archived from the original on October 20, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  8. Ma, Ken (November 24, 2005). "College students' blackface stunt creates backlash". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, FL.
  9. Wiggins, Ovetta (April 26, 2006). "Racial Slurs Make For Ugly Commute; Vandals Deface Bowie Church, Sound Barrier". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C.
  10. Dininny, Shannon (January 16, 2012). "Civil-rights history gets boost; Whitman College students to teach subject this week". The Seattle Times. Seattle, WA.
  11. Steffen, Amie (March 13, 2012). "Dunkerton principal to announce resignation Monday". Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. Archived from the original on March 19, 2012.
  12. "Bradlee Dean's entire You Can Run International Annandale headquarters listed online for rent". Bluestem Prairie. September 3, 2013.
  13. "Bradlee Dean's ministry is no more, source says". City Pages. September 25, 2013.
  14. Labash, Matt (May 5, 2006). "What Would Jesus Rap? On the road with Junkyard Prophet, apostles to the public schools". The Weekly Standard.
  15. "What Would Jesus Rap?". The Weekly Standard. May 15, 2006. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
  16. "What Would Jesus Rap?". The Weekly Standard. May 15, 2006. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
  17. McCormack, Diane (May 23, 2007). "'Junkyard Prophet' band performs". Pine River Journal. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  18. "Outrages (Susan Ohanian Speaks Out)". Susanohanian.org. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  19. Holmgren, Kristine (June 16, 2001). "Faith of Our Fathers". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Common Dreams. Archived from the original on November 17, 2011. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
  20. https://web.archive.org/web/20110602042235/http://mcchronicle.com/Articles/Oct07/Art_Oct07_02.html. Archived from the original on June 2, 2011. Retrieved June 10, 2011. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. Ebel, Jonathan H. (April 14, 2009). "Jesus Freak and the Junkyard Prophet: The School Assembly as Evangelical Revival". Journal of the American Academy of Religion. 77 (1): 36. doi:10.1093/jaarel/lfp008.
  22. Ebel, Jonathan H. (April 14, 2009). "Jesus Freak and the Junkyard Prophet: The School Assembly as Evangelical Revival". Journal of the American Academy of Religion. 77 (1): 36–37. doi:10.1093/jaarel/lfp008.
  23. "What Would Jesus Rap?". The Weekly Standard. May 15, 2006. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
  24. "What Would Jesus Rap?". The Weekly Standard. May 15, 2006. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
  25. Bradlee Dean quoted in Ebel, Jonathan H. (April 14, 2009). "Jesus Freak and the Junkyard Prophet: The School Assembly as Evangelical Revival". Journal of the American Academy of Religion. 77 (1): 31. doi:10.1093/jaarel/lfp008.
  26. Kovaleski, Serge F. (September 25, 2011). "Michele Bachmann and the Making of an Acolyte". The New York Times. p. ST1. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  27. Ebel, Jonathan H. (April 14, 2009). "Jesus Freak and the Junkyard Prophet: The School Assembly as Evangelical Revival". Journal of the American Academy of Religion. 77 (1): 32. doi:10.1093/jaarel/lfp008.
  28. David Brauer (May 25, 2011). "Braublog: AM1280 The Patriot canceled Bradlee Dean days before Capitol 'prayer'". MinnPost. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
  29. Andy Birkey (May 25, 2011). "Wal-Mart, Salem radio dump Bradlee Dean". The Minnesota Independent. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
  30. Brauer, David (September 6, 2011). "The Patriot reinstates Bradlee Dean's radio show". MinnPost. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  31. Sparber, Max (November 17, 2009). "Anti-immigrant rally pranked, but organizers say no". MinnPost.
  32. Friedman, Emily (July 28, 2010). "Target, Best Buy Angers Gay Customers By Making Contribution to GOP Candidate". ABC News.
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  34. Caldwell, Patrick (September 26, 2010). "3M among corporations giving to pro-Emmer group MN Forward". Twin Cities Daily Planet. The Minnesota Independent.
  35. "Michele Bachmann's Prayer For Controversial Ministry". YouTube. Retrieved October 21, 2010. Lord, I thank you for what you have done at this ministry... how you are going to advance them from 260 schools a year, Lord, to 2,600 schools a year. Lord, we ask thy faith that you would expand this ministry beyond anything the originators of this ministry could begin to think or imagine. Lord, the day is at hand! We are in the last days! The day is at hand, Lord, when your return will become nigh. Pour a double blessing, Lord, a triple blessing on this ministry.
  36. Birkey, Andy (November 13, 2009). "With Bachmann's help, You Can Run raises funds to bring Christ into public schools". The Minnesota Independent. Archived from the original on October 20, 2010.
  37. "MN: Bradlee Dean says Bachmann, Emmer will appear in his new video". The American Independent. September 27, 2010. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
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  39. Stassen-Berger, Rachel E.; Von Sternberg, Bob (May 20, 2011). "After divisive pastor starts House session, speaker apologizes". Star Tribune.
  40. Walsh, Paul (June 18, 2011). "Bachmann takes glitter protest in stride (with photo)". Star Tribune.
  41. "Podcasts: GOP Controversy". KVSC. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
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  45. Letter from Roy S. Moore. Archived August 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine October 31, 2007.
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  50. "Students: Program was inappropriate". The Pantagraph. November 4, 2005.
  51. "Pols, Nativists Make Common Cause With Gay-Bashers". Intelligence Report. Southern Poverty Law Center. Fall 2010. Republican State Rep. Tom Emmer defended the organization as a pro-traditional marriage group composed of nice people.
  52. "Around North Iowa". Belmond Independent. December 15, 2005.
  53. Sparber, Max (June 4, 2010). "Portraits of intolerance". Minn Post.
  54. Schmelzer, Paul (May 24, 2010). "Minnesota Independent wins journalism prizes for coverage of Christian ministry, Obama rally". Minnesota Independent.
  55. "GOP backed hate group off rails on crazy train". The Rachel Maddow Show. MSNBC. Archived from the original on September 10, 2008. Muslims are calling for the execution of homosexuals in America. They themselves are holding up the laws that are even in the Bible, 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's an abomination. If America won't enforce the laws, God will raise up a foreign enemy to do just that. That's what you're seeing today in America.
  56. "Rachel Maddow Show". Archived from the original on September 10, 2008. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  57. Ford, Zack (July 27, 2011). "Bradlee Dean Never Calls For The Persecution Of Gays, Except All The Time". Think Progress. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  58. Schmelzer, Paul (January 18, 2010). "'Punk' ministry head Dean: Marshal appointment illegal because Lubinski's a lesbian". Minnesota Independent. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  59. "Affirming our Stance on Homosexuality". Archived from the original on August 14, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
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  64. Dean v. NBC Universal, available on Westlaw at 2011 WL 3133221.
  65. Shapiro, Rebecca (July 9, 2012). "Rachel Maddow, Bradlee Dean Lawsuit: Christian Rocker Ordered To Pay MSNBC Host's Legal Bills". Huffington Post.
  66. Fung, Katherine (July 10, 2012). "Bradlee Dean Fires Back At Judge In Rachel Maddow, MSNBC Suit". Huffington Post.
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