The head of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet K. Dhillon, has weighed in on a video showing Fort Worth police interactions with Christian street preachers during Trinity Pride Fest. The video, first published by The Dallas Express, drew national attention after it was shared on social media platforms.

Background

Street preachers Richard Penkoski and David Grisham alleged that Fort Worth police officers violated their First Amendment rights during the event by preventing them from preaching on public streets and sidewalks surrounding the festival. Grisham was later issued a citation for disorderly conduct related to noise.

Footage from the June 27 encounter showed a Fort Worth police officer threatening to ticket a retired officer and Christian street preacher for “offensive speech.” Another video showed a Fort Worth police supervisor threatening to arrest a Christian street preacher if he attempted to preach in a public space occupied by a Pride event.

Response from Fort Worth Police Department

The Fort Worth Police Department previously stated that officers issued the citation because of Grisham’s use of a bullhorn outside the festival grounds, not because of the content of the preachers’ message. The department acknowledged that one officer made inaccurate statements during the encounter.

The City of Fort Worth Law Department will provide refresher training to current officers and new recruits on First Amendment protections and related legal issues involving free speech, protesters, and similar activity.

Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.