Noise Ordinance Charge Dropped - Trial Scheduled for March 10, 2008 on 'Disorderly Conduct' Charge In Arrest for Public Preaching in Salem, Mass.
by Staff
February 5, 2008
(christiansunite.com) -- The Foundation for Moral Law, a religious- liberties legal organization led by Judge Roy Moore, announced today that the Essex County District Attorney's office has agreed to drop the noise ordinance violation charge against Michael Marcavage of Repent America for preaching to Halloween revelers in Salem, Massachusetts last Halloween night. However, a trial has been scheduled for March 10, 2008, on the alleged "disorderly conduct" charge arising from Mr. Marcavage's Halloween preaching.Even though Salem's laws allow the use of speech amplification until 10:00 p.m., Salem police officers on October 31, 2007, confiscated Mr. Marcavage's megaphone at 8:30 p.m., threw him to the ground, and arrested him on charges of allegedly violating the noise ordinance and "disorderly conduct"-all for calmly preaching the gospel on a public sidewalk. See the video of Mr. Marcavage's arrest here.
If the prosecution in this case does not agree to drop all charges against Mr. Marcavage, the Foundation will defend Mr. Marcavage's right to preach the gospel on the public streets of Salem at the March 10 trial. Despite the fact that the city of Salem may not like Mr. Marcavage's message of repentance and salvation in Jesus Christ, there is nothing illegal or "disorderly" about preaching the gospel on the public streets and squares of America.
The Foundation for Moral Law, a national non-profit legal organization, is located in Montgomery, Alabama, and is dedicated to restoring the knowledge of God in law and government through litigation relating to moral issues and religious liberty, as well as education consisting of forums for pastors, judges, and the general public.
For more information about the Foundation for Moral Law, please visit www.morallaw.org.
