Federal Court Affirms Street Preacher’s Right to Share the Gospel
A federal appeals court has ruled that Seattle street preacher Matthew Meinecke may continue sharing the Gospel at public events without being arrested simply for reading the Bible, even if his message provokes strong reactions.
On Thursday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit found that arresting Meinecke for peacefully preaching — and refusing to move when ordered — violated his First Amendment rights. The court made it clear that lawful speech cannot be restricted based on how others respond to it.
Meinecke was arrested at two public events in 2022, including a protest following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision and Seattle PrideFest. A lower court initially denied his request for protection, but the appeals court reversed that decision.
The judges emphasized that police must use less restrictive measures to maintain public safety while still respecting constitutionally protected speech. The court ordered a preliminary injunction in Meinecke’s favor.
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” — Mark 16:15
Free speech and religious liberty remain protected in public spaces.
This ruling is a reminder that the Gospel cannot be silenced — and that faith and freedom still matter.
