A Texas evangelist says it is “deeply concerning” that he and another preacher were handcuffed and detained while preaching on a public sidewalk outside Dallas’ American Airlines Center.
Police said officers responded to a complaint about a loudspeaker violating the city’s noise ordinance and temporarily detained the men for officer safety, issuing a citation and trespass warning but making no arrests.
Video of the incident went viral, prompting First Amendment concerns and a call for answers from a Texas lawmaker. The evangelist says his ministry has retained legal counsel and is urging police to respect constitutional protections for free speech and religious expression.
