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Court Refuses So Far To Drop Charges Against Preachers At Dearborn's Arab International Festival

By Howard M. Friedman

A Dearborn, Michigan trial judge Monday, after two hours of oral arguments, refused, at least for now, to dismiss charges beach of peace and failure to obey lawful orders that have been brought against four street preachers for their activities in June at Dearborn's large Arab International Festival. One of the defendants, all members of Acts 17, was engaged in conversations with attendees at the Festival. The other three were videotaping the conversations. According to yesterday's Christian Post, police say the four drew and incited a large crowd, while defendants say their arrest violates their rights of free speech and free exercise of religion. They also claim the arrests were retaliation for an embarrassing video of activities of Festival security guards last year. The court said it needed clarification on some issues before finally deciding whether to drop charges. If they are not dropped, a trial will start Sept. 20.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on September 01, 2010 (boomark / email).