A self-proclaimed Christian “street preacher” who was arrested while quoting the Bible in protest of an LGBTQ Pride event in Reading, Pennsylvania had the charges against him dropped, according to authorities.
Damon Atkins was taken into custody on June 6 for “disorderly conduct, engaged in fighting,” but the charges were dismissed after a thorough review of video evidence by the Berks County District Attorney’s Office, as stated in a press release.
The District Attorney’s Office stated, “The charges were withdrawn after a careful examination of the videos of the incident and relevant case law.”
Christian Leinbach, a Berks County Commissioner, expressed his belief to the Lancaster Patriot that Atkins’ arrest was “unlawful” and could potentially lead to legal action against the City of Reading and its police department.
Encounter with Law Enforcement
A video capturing Atkins’ interaction with a police officer and subsequent arrest was recorded by Matthew Wear, a resident of the Pennsylvania city.
In the video, Atkins can be seen conversing with Sgt. Bradley McClure while reciting Bible verses to the attendees of the event, which reportedly included drag queens and children.
During the exchange, Atkins asserted, “This is public property,” to which McClure concurred.
Atkins then exclaimed, “God cares!” as shown in the footage.
McClure responded, “Let them have their day,” according to the video.
Arrest and Controversy
The officer advised the street preacher to show respect to the event attendees. Atkins held a sign that read “Jesus said go and sin no more.”
“Oh, I’m respecting,” Atkins retorted while pointing to his sign.
After being instructed once again to respect the attendees, Atkins questioned the officer, “You know who’s cheering for us?”
“The people that are in hell,” Atkins stated in the video. “So, you do you, and I’m going to do me.”
McClure briefly walked away, but then returned to handcuff Atkins after the preacher began citing a Bible verse.
As Atkins handed his sign to another protester, he was informed that he could not pass his bag to another individual. Attendees of the Pride event seemed to applaud the arrest.
Legal Proceedings
Atkins reportedly attempted to reference 1 Corinthians 14:33: “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
The officer detailed in an affidavit that Atkins started yelling at the event attendees, prompting McClure to approach him and issue a warning against disrupting the event. Atkins acknowledged the warning.
Less than a minute later, Atkins resumed making derogatory comments, leading McClure to arrest him for disorderly conduct.
A Reading Police Department officer informed Fox News Digital that there was an hour-long interaction between Atkins and the officer before the video was recorded, suggesting there was more to the story.
Aftermath and Clarification
In an interview with CBN News following the Pride march and his arrest, Atkins explained that his remark about people cheering from hell was a reference to a parable told by Jesus in Luke 16:19-31, involving a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus.
He concluded the interview by expressing gratitude to his supporters and stating his anxiety over the incident.
“I don’t want anyone to think – please don’t think that I hate anyone,” he emphasized. “I love my neighbor as Lord Jesus has taught me to love myself. That’s why I was there.”
Man Arrested While Citing Bible Verse in Protest of Pride Event, Then Video Evidence Sinks Case
Introduction
A recent incident involving a man being arrested while citing a Bible verse during a protest of a Pride event has sparked controversy and raised questions about freedom of speech. The man was initially charged based on the testimony of witnesses, but video evidence subsequently emerged that contradicted their claims, leading to the case being dismissed.
Case Details
The incident took place during a Pride event in which the man, who was reportedly protesting the event, was seen citing a Bible verse. Witnesses alleged that he was engaging in hate speech and inciting violence, leading to his arrest by law enforcement officers present at the scene.
Video Evidence
After the man was arrested and charged, video footage captured by multiple individuals at the event emerged. The video evidence showed that the man was peacefully expressing his views and quoting a Bible verse without inciting violence or engaging in hate speech. This evidence directly contradicted the claims made by witnesses, prompting further investigation into the case.
Legal Outcome
As a result of the video evidence, the case against the man was dismissed, and he was released without any charges. The incident raised important questions about the reliability of witness testimony and the importance of video evidence in legal proceedings.
Benefits of Video Evidence
- Video evidence can provide clear and unbiased documentation of events.
- It can help to corroborate or disprove witness testimony.
- Video footage can serve as valuable evidence in legal proceedings.
Practical Tips for Recording Video Evidence
- Ensure that your camera or smartphone is fully charged before recording.
- Position yourself in a location where you can capture the events clearly.
- Avoid interfering with the situation while recording.
Case Studies
| Case | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Man arrested at Pride event | Charges dismissed due to video evidence |
| Protester at rally | Acquitted based on video footage |
Firsthand Experience
As seen in the case above, video evidence can be crucial in revealing the truth and ensuring justice is served. It is important for individuals to be aware of their rights when it comes to recording events in public spaces and to use video footage responsibly.
In conclusion, the incident involving the man arrested while citing a Bible verse at a Pride event highlights the importance of video evidence in legal proceedings. It serves as a reminder of the need for objective and unbiased documentation of events to ensure that justice is served.
