Post by Jed on Dec 20, 2005 15:29:52 GMT -5
At approximately 12:15, I went downtown to conduct an open air. Typically, when we (2 or 3 out of a group of 6 or 7) go downtown, it is at night or at 5, when everyone commutes home. Usually it just the guys. But as it were, this opportunity was afforded us, and I was eager to seize it, because I thought the biggest crowds would be available.
I had nothing but a step-stool, a Bible and a plastic Coca Cola cup which was my makeshift microphone. The sidewalk on which I stood is very wide and pedestrian traffic was light.
I stood on the stool, and did not block any doors or harass any pedestrians.
I had preached about 30 minutes, and all of a sudden, a bicycle cop approached me. Yet I did not initially even look at him. He asked me to step down, and I asked what the problem was. He asked if I was "protesting homosexuality". I said that I was protesting all sins, and that he just happened to hear the tail end of it. (I never said that I hated homosexuals. I stated that the average life span of a gay man in America is 42 and that is too young! They need to repent, etc.) He said that there were several complaints of me "yelling and shouting" and that he could here me [one block away]. He also said that it was over 100 feet, intimating that a noise ordinance for speaking exists to that effect. (Actually no such ordinance exists. The 100 ft rule in Jackson ONLY applies to amplification.) He insisted that I must have a permit to "protest".
I told him that I had gone downtown several times before and also been to different suburbs and never heard of any such law requiring a permit to speak on a public sidewalk. He also mentioned that I was obstructing the sidewalk. He said that it exists. I asked him why it was necessary to have a permit to speak on a public sidewalk, etc. A female officer appeared who echoed his statements, albeit not as cordially. She stated that everybody must get a permit even animal rights people, etc. I said that I did not understand. I think that they thought I was being sarcastic, but I was not. There were also at that time two security guards, but they did not speak.
I told the officer that I was displeased. (I always address them as Sir and Maam as well) I asked for his and for her card. They replied that they had none but told me their numbers. At this point the hostility of their voice increased. I asked for their supervisor's name. They gave it to me and asked if I would like him to come down there. I said that would be great.
Providentially, at the red light, there was a "Truth truck", which I was surprised to see. I had never seen one before at anytime in Jackson. They are among several who travel and do pro life rallies etc. I decided that I wanted the gentleman driving to see me and pray for me so I held up my Bible. They came around the block again, and lo and behold, one of the two men was standing right next to me! I told him what happened and he asked if he could film what happened when the supervisor arrived. I said that would be great. He introduced himself and gave me his card.
Nothing up to this point was captured on film. When the supervisor arrived, the filming began. This gentleman occasionally commented as I spoke with the supervisor. I asked the officer "What if they refuse to give me a permit?" I asked this several times and never got a satisfactory answer. He said that if I did not leave the premises (still the sidewalk) that I would be arrested. (I doubted that this was constitutional.) I did not get the slightest feeling by the three officers' demeanor that they were there to "serve" or "protect" me.
We went down to the permit office. Essentially this is what happened.
Officer: yelling and shouting is against the ordinance, for it creates "unnecessary noise".
Us: So the Gospel is unnecessary noise
The officer did not say that it was, but it was implied.
The officer said that he would not give us a permit. Moreover we were "allowed" to do two things: Speak to people in a church building or go to park and "talk quietly" with people.
Now I was beside myself. These are all illegal without a permit:
Whistling, singing, "hooting" (what constitutes hooting?), yelling, shouting. All of these contribute "unnecessary noise". That's crazy using such ridiculous terms. Unnecessary has no place in a law book. It's entirely subjective.
I still don't see how permits do not "abridge the freedom of speech" (1st amendment). Because a whimsical officer may or may not grant one. I went down to the permit office as a token of cooperation. I never dreamed that they would reject me. I do not even want a permit. Instead I would like to see subjectivity abolished from the law book. The city ordinance is replete with subjective terminology. Essentially the officers opinion becomes law. (It sounds like they have hanging out with our Supreme Court!)
We ended up going back to the exact spot about 3, but no one came and arrested us. Our voices were sore and so we went back home.
Pray that Gospel preaching will not be silenced by men. Yet we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph 6:12
I had nothing but a step-stool, a Bible and a plastic Coca Cola cup which was my makeshift microphone. The sidewalk on which I stood is very wide and pedestrian traffic was light.
I stood on the stool, and did not block any doors or harass any pedestrians.
I had preached about 30 minutes, and all of a sudden, a bicycle cop approached me. Yet I did not initially even look at him. He asked me to step down, and I asked what the problem was. He asked if I was "protesting homosexuality". I said that I was protesting all sins, and that he just happened to hear the tail end of it. (I never said that I hated homosexuals. I stated that the average life span of a gay man in America is 42 and that is too young! They need to repent, etc.) He said that there were several complaints of me "yelling and shouting" and that he could here me [one block away]. He also said that it was over 100 feet, intimating that a noise ordinance for speaking exists to that effect. (Actually no such ordinance exists. The 100 ft rule in Jackson ONLY applies to amplification.) He insisted that I must have a permit to "protest".
I told him that I had gone downtown several times before and also been to different suburbs and never heard of any such law requiring a permit to speak on a public sidewalk. He also mentioned that I was obstructing the sidewalk. He said that it exists. I asked him why it was necessary to have a permit to speak on a public sidewalk, etc. A female officer appeared who echoed his statements, albeit not as cordially. She stated that everybody must get a permit even animal rights people, etc. I said that I did not understand. I think that they thought I was being sarcastic, but I was not. There were also at that time two security guards, but they did not speak.
I told the officer that I was displeased. (I always address them as Sir and Maam as well) I asked for his and for her card. They replied that they had none but told me their numbers. At this point the hostility of their voice increased. I asked for their supervisor's name. They gave it to me and asked if I would like him to come down there. I said that would be great.
Providentially, at the red light, there was a "Truth truck", which I was surprised to see. I had never seen one before at anytime in Jackson. They are among several who travel and do pro life rallies etc. I decided that I wanted the gentleman driving to see me and pray for me so I held up my Bible. They came around the block again, and lo and behold, one of the two men was standing right next to me! I told him what happened and he asked if he could film what happened when the supervisor arrived. I said that would be great. He introduced himself and gave me his card.
Nothing up to this point was captured on film. When the supervisor arrived, the filming began. This gentleman occasionally commented as I spoke with the supervisor. I asked the officer "What if they refuse to give me a permit?" I asked this several times and never got a satisfactory answer. He said that if I did not leave the premises (still the sidewalk) that I would be arrested. (I doubted that this was constitutional.) I did not get the slightest feeling by the three officers' demeanor that they were there to "serve" or "protect" me.
We went down to the permit office. Essentially this is what happened.
Officer: yelling and shouting is against the ordinance, for it creates "unnecessary noise".
Us: So the Gospel is unnecessary noise
The officer did not say that it was, but it was implied.
The officer said that he would not give us a permit. Moreover we were "allowed" to do two things: Speak to people in a church building or go to park and "talk quietly" with people.
Now I was beside myself. These are all illegal without a permit:
Whistling, singing, "hooting" (what constitutes hooting?), yelling, shouting. All of these contribute "unnecessary noise". That's crazy using such ridiculous terms. Unnecessary has no place in a law book. It's entirely subjective.
I still don't see how permits do not "abridge the freedom of speech" (1st amendment). Because a whimsical officer may or may not grant one. I went down to the permit office as a token of cooperation. I never dreamed that they would reject me. I do not even want a permit. Instead I would like to see subjectivity abolished from the law book. The city ordinance is replete with subjective terminology. Essentially the officers opinion becomes law. (It sounds like they have hanging out with our Supreme Court!)
We ended up going back to the exact spot about 3, but no one came and arrested us. Our voices were sore and so we went back home.
Pray that Gospel preaching will not be silenced by men. Yet we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph 6:12