Displaying items by tag: wrongful arrest

Pastor Damon Atkins was arrested earlier this year while reading Bible verses aloud on a sidewalk outside a Pride event in Reading, Pennsylvania. A police officer confronted him, accusing him of trying to provoke the crowd. Despite Atkins asserting his First Amendment rights, he was quickly handcuffed and removed from the scene. The charges against him were later dropped, and he received a full acquittal in court along with compensation. His legal defence was taken up by attorneys who argued that his arrest was a clear violation of his constitutional right to free speech and religious expression. 'Police have been put on notice that, if someone is speaking peaceably, you need to acknowledge those rights,' the attorney said. Atkins remains resolute in his mission to share God’s truth, viewing this experience as part of the growing hostility toward biblical values in society. His story has become a rallying point for Christians concerned about freedom of religion and speech in America.

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, a Christian charity volunteer, has won £13,000 in compensation and received an apology after being wrongfully arrested twice for silently praying outside an abortion clinic in a 'buffer zone' - an area designated to prevent actions that may intimidate women entering the clinic. Her first arrest occurred in November 2022, but she was cleared of charges in February 2023 when prosecutors failed to present evidence. Despite this, she was arrested again for the same action weeks later. Supported by ADF International, she pursued legal action against the police, citing wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, and human rights violations. Although grateful for her vindication, Vaughan-Spruce expressed concern that Christians should not have to fight for their rights in such a manner. Her case emerges as government ministers review police guidelines, potentially redefining the legal standing of 'silent prayer' near abortion clinics across England and Wales.

Angus Cameron, a Christian street preacher in Glasgow, Scotland, has won a substantial settlement after being wrongfully arrested for alleged 'homophobic language' in January 2022.  Police Scotland agreed to pay over £5,500 and £9,400 in legal fees, following a legal challenge by the Christian Institute, which represented Cameron. The incident began when Cameron was stopped by police, searched, handcuffed, and accused of a 'breach of the peace with homophobic aggravation’, a claim he firmly denied. Despite being released after an hour, a 'non-crime hate incident report' was filed against him, later leading to legal action for wrongful arrest, discrimination, and human rights breach. The Christian Institute revealed that the arrest lacked just cause, emphasising Cameron's peaceful preaching without targeting individuals or using offensive language. As a result, Police Scotland settled the case out-of-court, paying damages and legal costs, and removed the report from their records. This case highlights ongoing concerns about the rights of evangelical Christians to express religious views in Glasgow, referencing a similar case in 2022 involving Franklin Graham.