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Blind Woman Banned From Park for 2 Years for Sharing Gospel
Posted on 8/15/20 at 5:43 am
Posted on 8/15/20 at 5:43 am
LINK
Since 2014, Gail Blair, a blind woman and former nurse, has enjoyed strolling through Wilcox Park in Westerly, Rhode Island. Located across the street from her home, the well-attended public park offers a safe and convenient environment for her.
But on June 24, 2019, Blair was banned from the park, as well as the city’s public library, for two years.
The Memorial and Library Association—the organization that manages the park and the library—had contacted law enforcement to report that Blair, a Christian, was trespassing on the park and “accosting” other patrons by “stopping” and “giving them religious pamphlets,” according to a police report. The Association also accused Blair of littering in the park because the pamphlets she handed out were sometimes discarded on the grounds by other patrons.
But Blair, 66, says she has never stopped anyone in the park by physical means.
“That would not be consistent with the peaceful ministry practiced and preached by Jesus,” she says. “In addition, I am a blind woman in her sixties. Physically accosting persons would be rather dangerous, had I the means to do it at all.”
In describing her evangelistic efforts, Blair says she follows the advice of the Pocket Testament League by “simply offer[ing] … a Gospel of John, the Word of God. No arguing.”
“From time to time I attempt to start a conversation with passersby, and if they are willing, I offer them a copy of the Gospel of John and explain my beliefs,” she says. “I have had many positive interactions with men and women that I’ve met in this way.”
And on the charge of littering, Blair argues that she should not be held accountable for the actions of others.
Even so, she offered to pay the Association a dollar for every copy of the Gospel found on park grounds and returned to her, but the offer was “rejected without any discussion, counteroffer or accommodation,” Blair says.
A couple of weeks later, Blair’s church held a vacation Bible school event for the community in Wilcox Park. Since she had previously committed to volunteering at the event, she attended with at least six other members of her church. When she returned home, she received a phone call from the Westerly Police Department informing her that she had trespassed and threatening to arrest her if she entered the park or the library again.
As no one else from her church received a call from the police, Blair is concerned that the Association is “watching” her and “waiting for [her] to step foot into the park or library.”
On June 16, First Liberty Institute and William Wray Jr., an attorney at Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C., filed a discrimination complaint on Blair’s behalf with the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights against the Association.
“Banning a blind woman from entering a public park simply because she offers people she meets religious material is outrageous and discriminatory,” says Jeremy Dys, special counsel for Litigation and Communications at First Liberty Institute. “No government entity should ban anyone—let alone a gentle, blind woman—for simply carrying on conversations about her faith and giving them a copy of the Gospel of John in a public park.”
The complaint requests intervention by the Commission in the form of requiring the Association to make amends for their “unlawful discrimination.” It also requests that the Association permit Blair to return to the park and library, making use of all their accommodations and services, including “peaceful, civil and non-confrontational conversations about Jesus.”
Since 2014, Gail Blair, a blind woman and former nurse, has enjoyed strolling through Wilcox Park in Westerly, Rhode Island. Located across the street from her home, the well-attended public park offers a safe and convenient environment for her.
But on June 24, 2019, Blair was banned from the park, as well as the city’s public library, for two years.
The Memorial and Library Association—the organization that manages the park and the library—had contacted law enforcement to report that Blair, a Christian, was trespassing on the park and “accosting” other patrons by “stopping” and “giving them religious pamphlets,” according to a police report. The Association also accused Blair of littering in the park because the pamphlets she handed out were sometimes discarded on the grounds by other patrons.
But Blair, 66, says she has never stopped anyone in the park by physical means.
“That would not be consistent with the peaceful ministry practiced and preached by Jesus,” she says. “In addition, I am a blind woman in her sixties. Physically accosting persons would be rather dangerous, had I the means to do it at all.”
In describing her evangelistic efforts, Blair says she follows the advice of the Pocket Testament League by “simply offer[ing] … a Gospel of John, the Word of God. No arguing.”
“From time to time I attempt to start a conversation with passersby, and if they are willing, I offer them a copy of the Gospel of John and explain my beliefs,” she says. “I have had many positive interactions with men and women that I’ve met in this way.”
And on the charge of littering, Blair argues that she should not be held accountable for the actions of others.
Even so, she offered to pay the Association a dollar for every copy of the Gospel found on park grounds and returned to her, but the offer was “rejected without any discussion, counteroffer or accommodation,” Blair says.
A couple of weeks later, Blair’s church held a vacation Bible school event for the community in Wilcox Park. Since she had previously committed to volunteering at the event, she attended with at least six other members of her church. When she returned home, she received a phone call from the Westerly Police Department informing her that she had trespassed and threatening to arrest her if she entered the park or the library again.
As no one else from her church received a call from the police, Blair is concerned that the Association is “watching” her and “waiting for [her] to step foot into the park or library.”
On June 16, First Liberty Institute and William Wray Jr., an attorney at Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C., filed a discrimination complaint on Blair’s behalf with the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights against the Association.
“Banning a blind woman from entering a public park simply because she offers people she meets religious material is outrageous and discriminatory,” says Jeremy Dys, special counsel for Litigation and Communications at First Liberty Institute. “No government entity should ban anyone—let alone a gentle, blind woman—for simply carrying on conversations about her faith and giving them a copy of the Gospel of John in a public park.”
The complaint requests intervention by the Commission in the form of requiring the Association to make amends for their “unlawful discrimination.” It also requests that the Association permit Blair to return to the park and library, making use of all their accommodations and services, including “peaceful, civil and non-confrontational conversations about Jesus.”
Posted on 8/15/20 at 5:46 am to Crimson Wraith
It’s the party of tolerance.
The party that loves the bumper sticker “coexist”.
Edit: I will even add it to the post:
The party that loves the bumper sticker “coexist”.
Edit: I will even add it to the post:
This post was edited on 8/15/20 at 7:07 am
Posted on 8/15/20 at 5:47 am to Crimson Wraith
Some prog in Rhode Island is bragging about getting the blind woman banned to the applause of their communist friends.
Posted on 8/15/20 at 5:58 am to Crimson Wraith
I can't believe she never saw this coming.
Posted on 8/15/20 at 6:00 am to Crimson Wraith
quote:
threatening to arrest her
I love how these communists are so tough on a select few but others can burn buildings and loot at will with no repercussion
Posted on 8/15/20 at 6:22 am to Crimson Wraith
If she was handing out BLM religious materials or environmental religious materials would she have been treated the same?
Posted on 8/15/20 at 6:24 am to Crimson Wraith
Satan really hates the gospel!
Posted on 8/15/20 at 6:40 am to tigeraddict
quote:Would she even know it if the other materials were the same size, shape, weight?
If she was handing out BLM religious materials or environmental religious materials would she have been treated the same?
Posted on 8/15/20 at 6:45 am to Crimson Wraith
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
Posted on 8/15/20 at 7:47 am to Crimson Wraith
I thought libraries were all about free speech?
Posted on 8/15/20 at 8:02 am to Crimson Wraith
They are blatantly coming after Christians. I am a Christian but don’t expect me to turn the other cheek.
Posted on 8/15/20 at 8:04 am to Crimson Wraith
I just have this sneaking suspicion the OP isn't the whole story
Posted on 8/15/20 at 8:04 am to Crimson Wraith
If she called her actions a peaceful protest of unbelief (in Christ), would that be allowed?
Those who say Christians have nothing to complain about in regards to persecution aren’t paying attention. Those who hate Christ and His followers had no leg to stand on when the Church had influence in this country, and as that influence wanes, those haters of truth are becoming more emboldened in their efforts to silence Christians. These sorts of activities will only increase.
Those who say Christians have nothing to complain about in regards to persecution aren’t paying attention. Those who hate Christ and His followers had no leg to stand on when the Church had influence in this country, and as that influence wanes, those haters of truth are becoming more emboldened in their efforts to silence Christians. These sorts of activities will only increase.
Posted on 8/15/20 at 8:07 am to Crimson Wraith
How the Hell is it difficult to avoid her if you don't want to be bothered?
Posted on 8/15/20 at 8:07 am to Brazos
Christianity needs more of this and less of the cucked interpretations of today.
This post was edited on 8/15/20 at 8:08 am
Posted on 8/15/20 at 8:11 am to ShortyRob
quote:
I just have this sneaking suspicion the OP isn't the whole story
Honest question Rob. What do you think a little old blind lady is doing that’s not mentioned in the OP that could be so bad?
Posted on 8/15/20 at 8:12 am to TigerOnTheMountain
quote:Since you seem so quick to shed blood, make sure you’ve read up on Augustine’s views of Just War Theory to make sure you know when it is appropriate to do so.
Christianity needs more of this and less of the cucked interpretations of today.
Posted on 8/15/20 at 8:14 am to Crimson Wraith
Let’s say Gail is a Commie, rather than a Christian, and she is accosting people in the park (in violation of a local ordinance) with Marx rather than Mark.
Freedom of speech, rather than religion, but same Amendment.
Does she get the benefit of all the outrage now present in this thread?
Discuss.
Freedom of speech, rather than religion, but same Amendment.
Does she get the benefit of all the outrage now present in this thread?
Discuss.
Posted on 8/15/20 at 8:21 am to AggieHank86
quote:I’d wager most of the people here would support the right to free speech regardless of the specific content (I do, at least), but the outrage is due to a combination of the content of the message (the Gospel) that is being silenced as well as the double standard that seems to exist with leftists regarding the 1st amendment.
Let’s say Gail is a Commie, rather than a Christian, and she is accosting people in the park (in violation of a local ordinance) with Marx rather than Mark.
Freedom of speech, rather than religion, but same Amendment.
Does she get the benefit of all the outrage now present in this thread?
Discuss.
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