Modesto California does not want the Gospel preached in their public square - the literal public square. Apparently, they have a new take on the First Amendment. Read this article from California Catholic Daily. A quote is below.
Borden has been sharing his faith peacefully with others in Tenth Street Plaza, a public square in the heart of downtown Modesto. After Brenden Theatres, a private business located on the Plaza, complained to the city about Borden’s speech, the city has been allowing Brenden to rent the plaza almost every Saturday evening. Brenden excludes Borden and his associates from the area even though no other events are taking place there and no one else is excluded. City officials and Brenden security guards claim they can arrest Borden and his friends if they enter the plaza on Saturday nights if the theater does not want them there.
Even though city officials have told Borden that permits are not required for free speech in the plaza, he asked about obtaining one because the city granted a use permit to Brenden, which continues to exclude him from the plaza. Officials responded to Borden’s inquiry by telling him that political events or demonstrations are considered “freedom of speech,” but his activities are not.
