Prosecutors dropped charges against a man arrested for reciting Bible verses next to a LGBTQ Pride march in Pennsylvania last week.
The office of the Berks County District Attorney said it was no longer pursuing disorderly conduct charges against Damon Atkins following his arrest Tuesday in Reading.
“The charges were withdrawn after the District Attorney’s Office reviewed the videos of the incident along with applicable case law,” the office wrote in a release last week.
A Christian Man In Pennsylvania Has Been Arrested For Reading The Bible.
— Emily (@Emme0703) June 7, 2023
Damon Atkins was reading a verse from 1 Corinthians 14:33 – during a Pride event in Reading, PA but was arrested before he could finish the verse. pic.twitter.com/PnAX38oVTl</ a>
Video of the incident shows Mr. Atkins arguing with police Sgt. Bradley McClure about his right to demonstrate across the street from the city’s Pride celebration. The officer tells Mr. Atkins to “let them have their day,” to which Mr. Atkins responds that he’s on public property.
Sgt. McClure eventually says, “That’s it, you’re done” and handcuffs Mr. Atkins. Participants in the Pride event clap.
Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach told The Lancaster Patriot, “From what I have seen thus far I believe this was an unlawful arrest and could open the city of Reading and their police department to legal action.”
According to Fox News Digital, Mr. Atkins was arrested while trying to recite 1 Corinthians 14:33, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
An affidavit obtained by the network said the arresting officer told Mr. Atkins he wasn’t allowed to “yell comments intended to disrupt the event.” Once Mr. Atkins “resumed yelling derogatory comments,” he was arrested.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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