John Whitehead, founder of The Rutherford Institute.

HOLLY RIDGE, N.C. (WordNews.org) July 31, 2012 —  Charges against a street preacher who called on police to repent were dismissed by the District Attorney, according to the Rutherford Institute, a Christian law firm.
Preachers Jesse Boyd and Ricky Springer had been preaching in a public park when police told the two to that their amplifier violated the town’s noise ordinance. The Rutherford Institute said the men unplugged their amplifier.
Boyd asked to speak with the officer’s supervisor and complained to the chief of police that the order violated their First Amendment rights.
The Rutherford Institute said as the officers walked away, Boyd called after them, “shame on you officers. This is the USA, not the Soviet Union,” and stated that the officers needed to “repent.”
Police then arrested Boyd for disorderly conduct. The charge was dismissed on July 10.
“If police officers can prevent people from speaking in public parks simply because the speech is perceived as annoying, then the First Amendment has no meaning,” said John W. Whitehead, president of the Rutherford Institute. “Jesse Boyd got it right. It is a great shame for any government agent to be so ignorant of the Constitution, especially the First Amendment, that he not only infringes on a citizen’s rights but does so on the birthday of our nation.”
In coming to the street preachers’ defense, institute attorneys pointed out that parks are classic examples of public forums where First Amendment activities are most protected. They argued there are significant constitutional protections for verbal criticism of police officers. Institute attorneys also argue that the noise ordinance invoked is unconstitutionally vague, and allows speech to be stifled merely because it may annoy some member of the public.
Institute attorneys are demanding that Holly Ridge revise its noise ordinance, train its police force in better respecting the First Amendment, and pay monetary damages to Boyd and Springer.