Detroit Seminarians Allowed to Spread the Gospel

I want to report an important victory in the city of Detroit.  Our clients - two Catholic seminarians at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit - may now spread the Gospel and pray on the public sidewalks in Detroit without fear of arrest. 
 
Over the past several weeks, our clients would walk on the public sidewalks in and around downtown Detroit and share the Gospel with people by speaking and praying with them.  As part of their ministry, they would also gather on the public sidewalk in front of a topless club.  There, without obstructing the sidewalk, they would pray in the hope of converting to Christ those who work in, and attend, the club.

Recently, while the men were peacefully on the public sidewalk outside the club, three uniformed Detroit Police Officers approached them and yelled at them to leave the area.  The officers claimed the seminarians presence and praying were disturbing the clubs owner, dancers, and patrons.  The officers told the men that if they did not leave, they would be arrested for disobeying police orders.  The seminarians left the area out of fear of being arrested for praying on a public sidewalk.

The seminarians contacted the ACLJ.  Senior Counsel Ed White immediately sent a letter to city officials.  White demanded a swift end of the violation of the seminarians rights and demanded written assurance that the seminarians would be allowed to continue their ministry without further harassment or arrest.

After following up the letter with telephone calls to the citys police chief and legal counsel, White obtained the relief the seminarians sought. 

The fact is that we are pleased that the City of Detroit acted quickly and that our clients have resumed their ministry without further harassment.  As White told me, these seminarians should be praised for their courage, for the good example they set, and for their much needed ministry in Detroit.