Designated zones target religious speech (OneNewsNow.com)

Designated zones target religious speech (OneNewsNow.com)

onenewsnow.com

Designated zones target religious speech

Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 4/15/2012 3:30:00 AM

A Christian organization is asking Williamsburg, Virginia, to repent of a proposed ordinance to limit free speech.

The ordinance would ban free speech in Market Square and the historical areas of the city. What Williamsburg is contemplating is setting up free-speech zones and pushing speakers the city does not like out of those districts. The city received complaints from a couple of merchants in the district about Christians preaching and handing out tracks.

Michael Marcavage of Repent America says the ordinance is unconstitutional.

"This is just another example as to how the local governing officials are trying to silence unpopular and controversial speech," Marcavage says.

For people relegated to the free-speech zones, no sound audible at 50 feet or beyond would be permitted. Marcavage says ringing cell phones or car horns can be heard much further than that, so speech would be unconstitutionally restricted.

"If this is to pass, and if they are to establish free-speech zones, there is no question that it must be defied," the spokesman says. "We cannot stand idly by and allow them to establish free-speech zones and establish these outrageous restraints on our constitutional rights without some type of response."

Marcavage says that as an evangelist he will continue to do what he is called to do -- be a voice for the gospel.

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