Atlanta, Georgia — March 5, 2018. The Center for Religious Expression (CRE) obtained a court order today ensuring that the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (Authority) will no longer ban Eric Love from sharing his Christian faith on public sidewalks bordering a public park in downtown Atlanta.
On May 6, 2017, Love and two friends peacefully shared their faith on sidewalks bordering Centennial Olympic Park. From this location, he was able to reach people as they entered the Shaky Beats music festival that was occurring inside the park. But Love and his friends were soon approached by Authority police officers, who asserted that they could not share their faith on the public sidewalk because they did not have a permit. Love and his friends invoked their First Amendment rights, but to no avail; the officers arrested one of Love’s companions and ordered Love to leave. Fearing the same fate, he complied.
CRE sent a letter on to the Authority requesting that they cease banning free speech on public sidewalks, but they declined to do so, warning that expressive activity would not be tolerated on public sidewalks during events like the Shaky Beats festival. Left with no other option, Love filed suit to regain his constitutional rights and now, finally, his rights have now been restored.
“We are thankful for the restoration of free speech on these public sidewalks,” said CRE Chief Counsel Nate Kellum. “Now Love and others may share their faith without fear of punishment.”
