Christian Legal Resources

Public streets and parks are considered to be “traditional public forums.” These are recognized as normal places for the exchange of ideas by speech or paper.

A List of Christian Protections and Rights Supported by the US Government

1. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
   • 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution
2. We have the right to pass out literature, to preach, and to display signs on public areas.
   • Coates v. Cincinnati 402 U.S. 611
   • Edwards v. S. Carolina 372 U.S. 299
   • Furr v. Town of Swansea, F. Supp. 1543
   • Schneider v. New Jersey 308 U.S. 147
3.  We have the right to exercise our religion and speak in all quintessential public forums.
   • Frisby vs. Schultz, 487 U.S. 474
   • U.S. v. Grace, 461 U.S. 171, 176
4.  We have a “guaranteed access” to streets, parks, and other “traditional public forum” and mere inconvenience to the government will not outweigh our free speech interests.
   • Hague v. C.I.O. 307 U.S. 496
5.  Our freedom of speech may not be prohibited merely because it offends some listeners.
   • Cantwell v. Connecticut, 310 U.S. 296
   • Simon & Schuster v. New York State Crime Victims Board, 502 U.S. 105
   • N.Y. Times v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254
6.  A city may not consider the listener’s reaction when permitting free speech activity.
   • Forsyth County v. The Nationalist Movement, 505 U.S. 123
7.  We have the right to be loud enough to be heard.
   • Saia v. New York, 334 U.S. 1943
8.  We have the right to be protected by law enforcement if the crowd is offended by what we are preaching and becomes hostile.
   • Hedges v. W.C.U.S.D. No. 118, et al. 9F.3d 1295
9.  Permits are not allowed to be used to restrict a speaker’s right of free expression and permits may not be used as a prior restraint on free speech.
   • Kunz v. New York, 340 U.S. 290
10.  A free speech lawsuit is a Federal case and allows us to sue policemen and guards in their official capacity and as individuals.
    • Freedom Restoration Act, Title 42, Section 2000aa
11.  A freedom of speech lawsuit will subject them to pay our damages and all our attorney fees.
    • Civil Rights Attorney’s Fees Award Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983 and 1988
12. Amplification may be regulated by ordinances setting noise decibel levels so always check City, County and State Ordinances.
    • Kovacs v. Cooper, 336 U.S. 77

Important Note: This page does not constitute the giving of legal advice. For more information, contact your lawyer or consider reaching out to Christian Law Association or the American Center for Law & Justice.