Town Passes Permit Law In Reaction To Street Preachers

Last Tuesday, Walnut Cove, North Carolina’s town council enacted a new ordinance requiring a permit for parades and public assemblies on town streets, sidewalks or public property. (Text of ordinance as proposed). Today’s Winston-Salem Journal reports that the ordinance is a response to members of the Baux Mountain Baptist Church who have been preaching on city streets every Saturday for over four months. Reporting on the proposal last month, CBN News said Council is concerned about traffic, church members taking up parking spaces and the blocking business entrances. Church members say the new rules, which are scheduled to take effect in October, are unconstitutional.