As the world grows increasingly hostile to Christianity and evermore bold in their attempt to quell any semblance of Christian thought from invading their depraved consciences, it is becoming more and more necessary for believers to seek ways to fight back. In recent years, a movement by Reformed Christians to take their preaching into the public streets — an Evangelistic practice taught and commanded by Scripture — the Word of God goes forth in such a way that can’t be written off, but actually affects the consciences of people who hear it. And when people hear this, they must deal with it in one way or another.
And one City of El Paso official, Ismael Acosta, tried to deal with it by telling a street preacher, Ryan Denton that during special events, public property becomes “private property” and Acosta, the city’s Event Coordinator along with a police officer accompanying him threatened to arrest Denton if he continued to preach. Despite the Frist Amendment to the Constitution’s clear provisions for Denton’s practice, Acosta and the officer pressed ahead with their threats anyways
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
According to a complaint filed against the City of El Paso obtained by Reformation Charlotte, Denton is challenging the City of El Paso policy and practice of “barring religious proselytizing on public streets, sidewalks and ways in Union Plaza Area during city-sponsored art and farmers market that is free and open to the general public.”
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According to the complaint, Denton is primarily seeking injunction against the city’s unconstitutional policy and clarification of the rights of people to speak freely in public in the City of El Paso regardless of the nature of any event being held or whims of any coordinators who wish to stifle religious speech. In other words, Denton isn’t after money, he just wants to preach.
Below, you can see a summary of what happened on Saturday, August 24, 2019 and Denton’s thoughts on the lawsuit against the City of El Paso in federal court.
