Post by el Gusano on Mar 31, 2010 22:05:25 GMT -5
It's just a shame the guy had to go through this in order to be afforded his Constitutional rights.
Evangelist beats Chicago in court
Jailed Chicago evangelists have had their day in court and will seek injunctive relief against the city.
On July 12, 2008, ten members of Garfield Ridge Baptist Church and Pastor Frank Teesdale traveled to the public St. Symphorosa Family Fest to evangelize by handing out tracks and speaking over a megaphone. Attorney Andy Norman of Mauck & Baker tells OneNewsNow police officers did not like what was going on.
"The cop said, 'If you don't leave, you're going to get arrested,'" Norman accounts. "So Frank at that point keyed his megaphone, because he had a little megaphone and he was just going to talk, although it's not really a loud one, but he was going to start talking. And the guy grabbed the megaphone and arrested him."
The city tried to prosecute Teesdale on a charge of criminal trespass to property, even though the entire incident took place on a public street. That charge was later dropped, but the pastor filed suit in federal court.
"They made a motion to dismiss, and the judge just ruled on it saying that we are right," the attorney reports. "Frank is entitled to go out there. The police cannot prevent him or members of his church from evangelizing, talking about Jesus to people on a public street."
Norman is also going to pursue an injunction to make sure the point is made to Chicago police. That, he hopes, should also send a message about First Amendment rights.
On July 12, 2008, ten members of Garfield Ridge Baptist Church and Pastor Frank Teesdale traveled to the public St. Symphorosa Family Fest to evangelize by handing out tracks and speaking over a megaphone. Attorney Andy Norman of Mauck & Baker tells OneNewsNow police officers did not like what was going on.
"The cop said, 'If you don't leave, you're going to get arrested,'" Norman accounts. "So Frank at that point keyed his megaphone, because he had a little megaphone and he was just going to talk, although it's not really a loud one, but he was going to start talking. And the guy grabbed the megaphone and arrested him."
The city tried to prosecute Teesdale on a charge of criminal trespass to property, even though the entire incident took place on a public street. That charge was later dropped, but the pastor filed suit in federal court.
"They made a motion to dismiss, and the judge just ruled on it saying that we are right," the attorney reports. "Frank is entitled to go out there. The police cannot prevent him or members of his church from evangelizing, talking about Jesus to people on a public street."
Norman is also going to pursue an injunction to make sure the point is made to Chicago police. That, he hopes, should also send a message about First Amendment rights.
Evangelist beats Chicago in court
