Dallas, Texas — On June 19, 2015, the Center for Religious Expression (CRE) sent a letter to City of Dallas officials, seeking relief from a policy that bans Rick Moore from sharing his religious beliefs in popular open areas of Klyde Warren Park.

On April 30, 2015, Rick Moore found a spot near the Ginsburg Family Great Lawn in Klyde Warren Park, and began to share his faith with passersby. However, he was soon approached by park management, who ordered him to cease his expression immediately and go to the Pearl Lawn on the opposite side of the park, claiming that Moore was trespassing in the public park. Four Dallas police officers arrived and warned Moore that the park’s management could exclude whomever they wished, and that Moore could be arrested for “trespassing” in a public park unless he obeyed. The entire park is free and open to the public, and yet, Moore is not free to share his faith there.

The CRE letter hopes to remove the threat of future constitutional violations so Moore can go back to Klyde Warren Park and express his beliefs.

CRE’s letter explains that Moore has a First Amendment right to speak in a public park that is free and open to the public. The letter requests written response from the City of Dallas within three weeks.

“Moore has the right to share his faith in a public park,” said CRE Chief Counsel Nate Kellum. “He cannot constitutionally be banished to remote areas of the park. The right to speak includes right to be heard.”