The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) has filed suit on behalf of a Christian man threatened with arrest for expressing a religious message on a public sidewalk in Lake Worth, Fla. Police told Martin Mikhail the Bible was a “work of fiction” and that he needed a permit to share his faith.
In September 2007, Mikhail began sharing his faith after a police officer said he had no objection. Later, the same officer told Mikhail to stop or he would be taken to jail.
When Mikhail followed up with the Lake Worth Police Department, he was told he needed a permit to share his message.
“I can hardly think of speech more protected in the history of our country than what is spoken on a public sidewalk to fellow citizens to convey a message," said Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action. "That is what the First Amendment is for.”
— Danielle Hohncke
