Suit was filed in a Tennessee federal district court last month challenging the manner in which the Special Events Policy of Johnson City (TN) is interpreted and applied. The complaint (
full text) in
Waldrop v. City of Johnson City, Tennessee, (ED TN, June 19, 2019) contends that the city's policy unconstitutionally prevents plaintiffs from sharing their Christian message during gay pride parades and events. It alleges:
123. As applied, the Policy unconstitutionally attempts to convert the City’s streets, sidewalks, and parks from traditional public fora into a nonpublic forum during Special Events conducted in the City.
124. As applied, the Policy unconstitutionally limits Plaintiffs’ freedom of speech by forcing Plaintiffs to move out of a traditional public forum during Special Events....
133. Plaintiffs have a personal belief in the Biblical mandate to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and Plaintiffs engage in activities, for the purpose of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that are prohibited by the Policy, as interpreted and enforced by Defendants.
WJHL News reports on the lawsuit.
