**Christian Arrested for Quoting Bible at Pride Rally: A Disturbing Violation of Free Speech**
A shocking video has surfaced showing a Christian man arrested for attempting to quote scripture to attendees at a Pride rally in Reading, Pennsylvania on Saturday. The incident raises serious concerns about the violation of his rights to freedom of speech and religion in modern America.
The video, taken by Matthew Wear, shows Damon Atkins standing on a public sidewalk on the sidelines of the first annual Reading Pride March & Rally. Despite Atkins being on public property, an officer – identified as Sgt. Bradley McClure – confronts him. Atkins tells the officer this is public property, to which Sgt. McClure agrees but asks him to “let them have their event” and “respect it.”
Atkins then asserts his stance on the matter, saying, “You know who’s cheering for us? The people that are in hell.” He was referencing the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in the Gospel of Luke. Sgt. McClure then walks away, while Atkins begins to utter, “God is not…” but is quickly arrested mid-sentence by the officer. The crowd at the rally applaud Atkins’ arrest.
The aforementioned Bible verse Atkins was going to quote was 1 Corinthians 14:33 – “God is not the author of confusion.” Yet it seems Atkins’ rights to express his religious beliefs and exercise free speech were utterly disregarded.
Following his arrest, Atkins continued trying to engage with the Pride-rally attendees. At this time, a Pride representative grabbed a microphone and encouraged the crowd to mock “protesters across the street” who got “in trouble with the police.” The crowd erupts in cheers.
Atkins was then charged with “Disorderly Conduct Engage in Fighting.” The Lancaster Patriot
