Christian Man Sues Over Restrictions on Passing Out Bibles at MN Gay Pride Parade
- Posted on April 5, 2012 at 9:49am by
Billy Hallowell
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A 2009 booking photo of Brian Johnson (Hennepin County Sheriffs Office)
Brian Johnson, a Christian who has passed out Bibles at a Minnesota gay pride parade for years, is launching a lawsuit after city officials restricted his ability to disseminate the books at this year’s event. Johnson, who is from Hayward, Wis., apparently started handing Bibles out at the Twin Cities Pride Festival back in 1995.
Relations between the Christian and the parade‘s organizers weren’t always chilly. By 1998, Johnson had an official booth that the group approved. But more recently, organizers of the event, which draws up to 300,000 people each year, haven’t been so friendly. First, they prevented him from securing a booth. Then, in 2009 — the first year he was denied a booth – organizers had Johnson arrested for trespassing; the charges were later dropped.
In 2010, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, which oversees the 42-acre public park that the event is held in, granted Johnson permission to hand out Bibles. Organizers, standing so firmly opposed to this action, went to court to seek an injunction. This was inevitably denied by District Judge John Tunheim, however, the judge did make a suggestion that “free speech zones” be created for people, like Johnson, to distribute their literature.
Below, see a report about the 2010 ruling:
Johnson, who opposes these “free speech zones,” is fighting back with a lawsuit against the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. FOX News has more about the legal debacle that has resulted from these less-than-favorable interactions:
Johnson, a taxidermist by trade and an evangelical by calling, sat out last year’s event for fear of arrest, according to his attorney. But the legal wrangling has continued behind the scenes, and this year parade organizers, at the suggestion of a federal judge, designated “free-speech zones” on the Pride Festival grounds, where people like Johnson could distribute literature the organizers wouldn’t otherwise approve.
Johnson and his attorney reject the policy, which is backed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Johnson believes he not only has God on his side, but the Constitution, too.
On Friday, Johnson went to federal court where he hopes he will be able to secure unrestricted access to this year’s event, which is slated to take place June 23-24. Organizers maintain that he is welcome to attend the event, but that — unless a court intervenes — he will not be able to hand out Bibles outside of the designated zones.
“He has said his goal is to get everyone to know Jesus [and] he is allowed to do that,” Dot Belstler, executive director of Twin Cities Pride, said. “[But] it’s really kind of a nuisance.”
(H/T: FOX News)
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Comments (87)
Owt_Raged
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 12:13pmIt’s only free speech if the liberals, Democrats and special interest groups agree with it.
Otherwise, it’s hate speech!
Report Post »obxned
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 12:35pmYup, that’s it exactly!
Report Post »ScienceIsNotEvil
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 8:14pmHow many of you would have supported someone passing out a book that said Christians should be killed?
Report Post »Leopold
Posted on April 6, 2012 at 2:49amTheir disgusting behavior is perfectly OK for everybody to see.
Families are encouraged to go and watch these perverts.
And they wonder when they get hate.
In Canada they want to force teachers to take children to gay pride parades.
So they have a better understanding and maybe realize they are gay too.
The speed with which we are going into destruction is unreal.
Report Post »teestington
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:30pmhave you even been to the Pride festival? There are many Christian booths there, staffed by actual pastors and church members, several give away bibles. There are also Atheist groups and Jewish groups and Wiccian groups and everybody gets along with everybody, until some nutcase like this guy shows up and tries to cause trouble.
Report Post »Mary Just
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:56amThe total evilness of these Demonrats
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 12:13pmhttp://www.outsidethebeltway.com/gay-pride-bare-asses/
** EDITORS AND LIBRARIANS PLEASE ELIMINATE NY109 OF JUNE 27, 2010, THE IMAGE CARRIES AN ONLINE RESTRICTION, NY111 WILL BE TRANSMITTED TO ONLINE POINTS TO REPLACE NY109
So the news media scrubs the gay record.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:54amGAY PRIDE PARADE NUDITY STILL BAFFLING SCIENTISTS
http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Science/pages/Gay-Pride-Parade-nudity-still-baffling-scientists-Scrape-TV-The-World-on-your-side.html
Gays, role models for a doomed people.
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:46amIf he wanted to pass out condoms….he could stand anywhere…but Bibles…oh no…..just stand here.
Report Post »HuskerDave
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 1:04pmAmen!
Report Post »teestington
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:39pmYou sound foolish, there are many Christian groups that have booths at Pride and many churches that participate in the parade. This guy is just trying to upset people, he is just one step away from being one of those Westborow Baptist nutcases that protest at the funerals of soldier, they know they aren’t preaching the word of God or trying to win people over to Chrisianity they are trying to be bullies.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:36am.
Report Post »Will somebody tell me again why I have to tolerate all these Gay people……
thegreatcarnac
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:43amConstitutionally …you don’t. Federally….the government has made them another protected species…just like blacks and other minorities. You…are not free.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:47amCause God said so ……
“vengence is mine say’s the Lord”
that does not mean silence in pointing out the sin ….IN LOVE
Report Post »You can talk about hell out of love.
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:59am.
4truth2all
That’s not a good reason, God said not to put that in your mouth in the first place……
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 12:34pmSo when God speaks no one should listen.
So YOU are a higher authority then Him?
and others might find you’re crudeness funny … I do not … and yes I do have a sence of humor, soon as I find it … it’s around here somewhere.
Report Post »The Third Archon
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 7:22pmBecause of the law, and because the government will punish you if you break it.
Report Post »ScienceIsNotEvil
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 8:15pmBecause they are humans just like you.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:23amLast I checked a PUBLIC park is just that, open to anyone. It does not matter who you are. He should have the freedom to distribute Bible. The people on the other end have a right to refuse. You can’t use the argument that he is forcing people to listen. Well those gays/lesbians are forcing me to listen to them. But your response would be “don’t go to the park”. My response would be “refuse the Bible walk away or avoid contact with me”. See government it goes both ways. Your only recourse is to remain neutral and allow both. The moment you take sides, you are establishing a religion; either a religion to support gay/lesbians or a religion to support Christianity. Both are unconstitutional in that regard. I also have the freedom of religion and to practice it unimpeded. This is where they are again breaking the constitution. You can’t change the rules because someone might get offended. You either honor all or you honor NONE.
Report Post »teestington
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:43pmJust because a park is a public park doesn’t mean everybody has the right to do whatever they want whenever they want in it. In this case the Twin Cities pride organizers rent the park for their two day event, it brings in a lot of money for the city and local businesses therefor the city will try and ensure the event is safe for everybody.
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:10am“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act”.
- George Orwell
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:10amA free speech zone is like England’s Speakers Corner. Does England have a 1st Amendment?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speakers_Corner
Report Post »Sol Invictus
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:28amAmendments require a constitution – the United Kingdom doesn’t have one. Incidentally can we have a new amendment which restricts ItsonlyTim’s right to free speech (if indeed it is speech).
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 12:11pmSol Invictus
I realize that England does not have a constitution but only traditions. If the traditions remain strong than the people are protected. If not they are screwed. Having a constitution is no guarantee of justice. laws can be ignored (black panther voter intimidation). It does provide a codify the law so that we know what we are talking about unless you get into a room with a dissembler like Bill Clinton or a snake on an apple tree.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 1:43pmSol Invictus (“Invincible Sun”) was the official sun god of the later Roman Empire. In 274 the Roman emperor Aurelian made it an official cult alongside the traditional Roman cult
Report Post »HotFixIt
Posted on April 6, 2012 at 5:48amA “Free Speech Zone” In itself implies you do not have free speech otherwise. I was not aware the first ammendment had been overturned when I was not looking. The only way they can limit his right to free speech is to have their event on private property and limit who is invited to the event… if it is not open to the public.. only to an invited list.. then they can do what they want… public park…. Free speech, Free Bibles!
Report Post »neiman1
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:08amSouthern Decadence is Gay Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The Christian march carrying their massive cross through the crowd is as much a part of the event as anything else. Tolerance is allowing everyone to express themselves. Bigotry is when your so afraid of the opinion of others you try to ban their presence and shut them up.
The leaders of this Pride event are missing the point of fighting for equality.
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:04amYou might want to check the facts here.
Report Post »The last story upset me on omitting the atheist
That turned Christian, was duped into some sort of
Gay/lesbian church and the same guy did both
Both stories for deblaze…
Me think’s we have a false prophet.
Walkabout
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:31amSo the atheist was okay with church so long it was a gay church? It interesting why some people are so vociferously atheist.
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:46amSimilar lawsuit won in Dearborn, MI regarding a Pastor even being at the event. Dearborn PD hauled him away…funny thing was- the event was a Festival. PUBLIC FESTIVAL just happened to be in Dearborn, MI
Report Post »TheLeftMadeMeRight
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 4:04pmWe need Lefty/Liberal Free Zones…
Report Post »TheLeftMadeMeRight
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:45amIf you create so called “free speech zones,” then you are implying there are zones where free speech is prohibited and that my friend is unconstitutional.
Now, isn’t this a case of the gays infringing on the religious and free speech rights of Christians?
Report Post »The rainbow shoe is on the other foot, NOW WEAR IT!
Walkabout
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:02amOnce you accept free speech zones as a principle they become smaller & fewer until there may be only one free speech zone in the while country that is open just 1 day out of the month
Report Post »teestington
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:52pmFree speech doesn’t mean anybody can say anything anywhere. Pride rents the park from the city, the festival makes money for the city and local businesses so the organizers have the right to decide which groups should be allowed to participate at their festival. And there are MANY Christian churches, organizations and groups that have booths at Pride. There are also Pagan groups, and Atheist groups at Pride as well. If this man represented an actual church he would probably be given a permit to have a booth, but he doesn’t represent anybody but himself.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:41amits ok to break in and occupy banks public parks and cause a terrible nuisance if you are a leftist only. that is the moral of this story but passing out bibles, bad. I get it now.
Report Post »thop1960
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:40amNuisance? And a gay pride parade is not? I’m sorry, a couple people on a corner handing out bibles or a crap load of gays roaming the streets? You tell me which is more of a nuisance? Why do Christians have to bow to the gay movement? Seems it only matters what they think and only what they think is right. Christians are not allowed to believe and follow the bible anymore, if you do, you’re labeled as a bigot and intolerant. Let me see, who has won this talking point without even as much as a whimper? Here’s a clue, not Christians. Speak up and stand your ground or else be swept away.
Report Post »TheLeftMadeMeRight
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:53amThe funny part is the Romans, ah, the Left can take all the bibles, they can arrest all the preachers, they can close all the churches, but they can’t tear Christ from the hearts and souls of the believers and they know it and it ****** them off to no end.
Report Post »teestington
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:12pmNobody is saying people can’t be Christians, there are lots of Christian groups at Pride, the United Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans all have booths, . And nobody is preventing this guy from going to the park the other 363 days of the year, but he doesn’t want to try and give out bibles then. And the festival isn’t a nuisance to all of the local businesses that turn profit. I have a friend that is a manager at a hotel near the park and it is one of their busiest weekends of the year. My friend that is a waitress at a restaurant near the park says Pride weekend is when she makes the best tips.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:23amJesus said when he walked with men that “This generation would receive no sign.” What will all you say? When Jesus comes here in a space-ship, and he says “Well, your generations currently have been receiving many signs of worshiping in your temples, and from thinking outside the box sacrificing on the alter high in your mind – Penicillin, and the automobile, and they have benefited millions, unlike the pyramids which benefited the rulers.”
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:30amYour current rulers want men to once again build pyramids unto them, useless pyramids which they try to tell you on late-night programming shows, there might be a space ship buried under them. Because they don’t want you to know what worshiping in the alter of your mind brings to you, and they want you to think it’s always been around.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:35amWhat “There’s nothing new under the sun means” is that there is the same ‘angles’ there has always been, and that somewhere in the universe all things have existed before, just not on earth.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:37amThink about it, are the Great Pyramids a wonder? No, because they don’t do squat for people.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:39amPenicillin and the automobile is a Greater wonder than the Greatest Pyramids, because Penicillin actually does something for people.
Report Post »txbigfoot
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:41amThats what happens when the hard core sodomist take over. There is no tolerance on their part. Yet, they want everyone to coexist with islam. Dont they realize that Islam says they kill sodomist and lesbians.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:53amDo the most ancient buildings really any kind of wonder? No, because they don’t do squat for people, and are just as useless as a painting on the wall that only serves to ‘Captivate’ the human mind. That’s why Art is typically a tool of the left.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:56amLook into ancient Egypt, you will find that all the Art and paintings in Egypt coincide with Captivity.
Report Post »Sh3LLz
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:21amWow that guy is creepy looking. At any rate, what good is passing out bibles if hes not teaching anyone anything about it. Christ said to go, preach and TEACH…..
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:20am“Wow, that guy is creepy looking” … and what are you, and what have you done lately. It is hard to pass out bibles and not have moments to share or preach as you say. I suspect if you did this you would know this …. please come down off the throne even God does not look at the appearence of men but the heart …seems you need to listen to a little more preaching yourself… just sayin.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:41am“At any rate, what good is passing out bibles if hes not teaching anyone anything about it. Christ said to go, preach and TEACH”
If he started preaching they would have charge him for disrupting the peace especially if his voice was 1 dB above 60 dB. Handing out a Bible is a foot in the door. He would preach except that he would draw a crowd of hecklers & the police would arrest him.
The people in the gay pride parade are creepy.
web search +gay +pride +parade +nude
Examples
http://www.vidmax.com/…/The_Seattle_Gay_Pride_Parade_Goes_Nude
http://www.phdtop.com/nb/pixpage.html
These examples show that gays are mentally ill.
Report Post »teestington
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:17pmI just think it is interesting that this article makes no mention at all of all the religious groups (including many Christian groups) that are at the festival every year. You can go to the Methodist booth or the Lutheran booth and church volunteers will be happy to talk with you, invite you to attend a service at their church, give you volunteer opportunities, discuss the bible, put you on their email list, GIVE OUT BIBLES OR PAMPHLETS…ect
Report Post »Centralsville
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:11amWhy should there be a special parade to celebrate sexual depravity.
Report Post »cookcountypatriot
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:08ami pray for this mans saftey as he enters the oriface of evil…may our lord shield him in the armor of god and send his mighty angels to protect him from the powers and principlaities of this present darkness…
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 1:11pmI stand and agree with you.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:07amGod, Jesus Christ, Christians, consevatives……….now considered the THE enemy in America.
Report Post »Dde13
Posted on April 6, 2012 at 12:35pmA tolerant liberal is a oxymoron….Professors are teaching that White, straight, Christians are the oppressors and gay, transsexuals and homosexuals are the oppressed.
Report Post »Bri guy
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:04amA perfect example of the intolerance of these wonderful “tolerant” and sexually liberated people who are simply choosing an alternative lifestyle. What hypocricy! At the same time, I question this man’s wisdom, and heart for the lost. He’d have a bigger impact by being there for someone in need who has contracted aids as a result of immoral sexual behavior. Or, by being there for someone who is truly struggling with their sexual choices, not someone who is parading their choices.
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 1:10pmDon’t be judgemental against your brother Christian. How do you know he’d have a bigger impact being there for one person in need or struggling?
We need Christians to stand on the front lines taking the arrows from the enemy, so that the godless can hear about whom they are rebelling against and to offer them escape from their sin and a relationship with the creator of the universe. Rebellious people are still precious to God and should not be discarded as hopeless which it sounds like you think.
Report Post »teestington
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:22pmOr he could just stop being a disruptive bigot and instead work with one of dozens of booths that represent Christianity and actually have permits to be there. This poorly researched article completely ignores the many other sides of this issue including the fact that the park is rented out for the festival, there is a permit application process and there are lots of churches that participate
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:03amIf I lived there, I would go help! Any other CHRISTIANS in Wisc.willing to stand up?
Report Post »GOD BLESS AND PROTECT!
Look for miracles. They will abound!!!
kaydeebeau
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:00am“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14b
Report Post »ScienceIsNotEvil
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 8:18pmUnless they make fun of a bald guy then he sends bears to kill your kids.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 9:59amDepending on the local laws, of course, the guy should be able to hand out literature wherever he wants. I hope he wins his lawsuit.
Report Post »ginger100
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 9:59amIntolerant gay,people?
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:00amIntolerant? The left tolerates debate one time provided they win. Thereafter there is no debate.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 9:55amGay Pride Parades are usually disgusting displays of degenerate behavior. from what I’ve seen from the web. These folks could use a Bible… and a prayer… and maybe a shot of penicillen.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 9:59amYes … and if they don’t like it .. then move their event from a PUBLIC park.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 11:11amCatB
“Yes … and if they don’t like it .. then move their event from a PUBLIC park.”
And step on needles when you want to picnic or play frisbee?
Report Post »teestington
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:18pmthere are HUNDREDS of Christians representing dozens of churches that march in the Pride parade every year.
Report Post »