NC Police Claim Christian Carrying Cross Violates ‘Dangerous Weapons’ Law

[SecularMotion]

MORGANTON, North Carolina – A Christian evangelist witnessing at a public festival in North Carolina this past weekend was forced to put away a wooden cross that he was holding as police asserted that it could be considered a “dangerous weapon.”

Brothers Jesse and Matthew Boyd, along with friend Kent Blalock, attended the 32nd annual Historic Morganton Festival on Saturday to open-air preach, distribute Gospel literature and hold Scripture-based signs as a witness to attendees. Matthew carried a small 3-pound wooden cross that bears the question “Are You Ready?” and folds away when not in use.

The men state that even before they attended the event, they became aware that there could be problems in light of the festival rules, which barred free speech activity on the streets. In turn, Jesse contacted City Attorney Louis Vinay to express concern, sending him a compilation of relevant case law that protected free speech activity at public events.

Most notably, the evangelists–and anyone else who wished to engage in free speech–would have been required to stand in a “free speech zone,” which was located two blocks outside of the event and away from the crowds.

http://christiannews.net/2013/09/11/nc-police-claim-christian-carrying-cross-violates-dangerous-weapons-law/

[TreasonousBastard]

1. The concept of free speech means that even the most annoying speakers...

have the right to drone on.

[gopiscrap]

2. This should get interesting

[struggle4progress]

3. photo:

I expect a uniformly-enforced prohibition, against carrying objects that could be used as clubs, would pass constitutional muster. So would enforcement against excessive volume, impeding foot-traffic, or fighting-words

But in general I think they do have a free speech right at such events

[cbayer]

4. Part of the problem is that it was not uniformly enforced. Here is another picture:

Festival-goers hold wooden swords sold by an event vendor.

[Iggo]

5. Cops.

[Humanist_Activist]

6. Sorely disappointed, was hoping for something like this...

Or this:



Yes, this one is a gun.