A Christian street preacher was arrested for protesting an LGBTQ pride event – but the charges were dropped when the local prosecutor agreed his detention violated his First Amendment rights.
Damon Atkins, 41, was seen on camera holding up a sign that read ‘Jesus said go and sin no more’ and quoted Bible verses to protesters at the Pride event on June 3 in the city of Reading.
Police came by and confronted Atkins, who indicated he was on public property.
You can see the official telling him that even though “it’s public property” he should “let them go” and “respect it” – referring to those celebrating Pride.
Atkins is heard replying, “You know who’s cheering us on?” The people who are in Hell. So you do yourself and I will do me.’
A Christian preacher has been arrested for quoting Bible verses in support of protesters at an LGBTQ+ Pride event in Pennsylvania. However, the case was dropped after the district attorney said the police were wrong
The First Amendment states: “Congress shall not make any law respecting the establishment of any religion or forbidding the free exercise of it; or restrict freedom of speech or freedom of the press; or the right of the people to assemble peacefully and petition the government for redress of grievances.”
Those words guarantee Americans complete freedom of speech and expression, no matter how offensive their words may be.
Unlike other countries, including the UK, the US has no laws on hate speech, meaning Americans can say whatever they want in public without fear of legal reprisals.
Later in the video, Atkins can be seen continuing to preach a verse from Corinthians as Officer Bradley McClure says, “That’s it, you’re done,” before handcuffing Atkins.
Then Atkins is taken off and placed against a wall for backup – while people in the background attending the Pride event applaud.
“I can’t believe this is happening in Reading,” a voiceover is heard saying.
Matthew Wear, who recorded the video, added it was “an incredible providence that the Lord is allowing me to film this”.
Reading Police Chief Richard Tornielli said Atkins was only arrested because he behaved “disorderly” and had nothing to do with the content of his speech.
“Our officers have warned him to desist from this behavior as it disrupted the event that was taking place,” he told WFMZ.
Damon Atkins, 41, was seen on camera holding up a sign that read ‘Jesus said go and sin no more’ and quoted Bible verses to protesters at the Pride event on June 3 in the city of Reading
Police came by and confronted Atkins, who indicated he was on public property, but to no avail as they eventually arrested him
Atkins is then taken off and leaned against a wall for backup while applause is heard in the background
According to local reports, the city of Reading’s Pride events are set to be the first public ones in its history.
Tornelli later in the week complained that he had “received hundreds of calls on phone lines used for urgent and non-urgent requests for police assistance” complaining about Atkins’ arrest.
He even hinted that the “inappropriate and vile language” and potential threats could result in them filing charges against any caller.
However, the charges against Atkins were dropped Wednesday, according to a statement from the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.
“Following an investigation into the incident which took place at the 800 block of Washington Street in the City of Reading on June 3, 2023, the District Attorney’s Office has dropped the disorderly conduct charges against Damon Atkins.”
“The charges were dropped after prosecutors reviewed videos of the incident along with applicable case law.”
Steinbaugh, an attorney for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said he was “relieved but still found the whole ordeal ridiculous.”
“Damon should never have been handcuffed in the first place and the city must take action to correct the wrongdoing of its officers and to ensure that their officers do not violate the First Amendment in the future,” Steinbaugh added.
Charges against Atkins were dropped Wednesday, according to a statement from the Berks County District Attorney’s Office
“The charges were dropped after prosecutors reviewed videos of the incident along with applicable case law,” a prosecutor’s spokesman said
Atkins spoke to CBN on Tuesday about his arrest and said he was grateful for the support he received even before the charges were dropped.
“I don’t want anyone to think I hate anyone.” “I love my neighbor as the Lord Jesus taught me to love myself, that’s why I was there,” he said.
However, he said it was “scary” to see drag queens in public, especially around children.
“I must warn my brothers and sisters – and I don’t just talk about them – I like to talk about Jesus and warn everyone.” People come to me who live in grievous sin. It’s not just homosexuals.’