HARTFORD, Conn. — The city of New Haven has agreed to a
court order issued Monday that will allow a man to resume expressing his Christian faith on public sidewalks. In 2005, Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit against the New Haven Police Department after officers threatened to arrest the man for “annoying” passersby.
“Christians shouldn’t be penalized for expressing their beliefs,” said ADF Litigation Staff Counsel Jonathan Scruggs. “Police cannot silence citizens because they or others think are ‘annoying.’ All Americans are free to peacefully exercise their First Amendment right to free speech on a public sidewalk. Those rights must be protected, or we’re all in trouble.”
On May 16, 2004, Jesse Morrell attempted to express his faith on four different public ways in downtown New Haven. At no time did he attempt to touch, harass, or block anyone, nor did he attempt to block any public rights-of-way.
On each occasion, a New Haven Police Department officer informed Morrell that he would be arrested if he did not stop speaking. The officers stated that patrons complained about his “preaching” and that his speech was “annoying,” and therefore in violation of the local noise ordinance. Fearing that he would be arrested, Morrell left the New Haven area and has not returned.
The consent order was issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut in
Morrell v. City of New Haven.
ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.
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