Post by M. Hawbaker on Mar 31, 2021 19:49:40 GMT
A Christian pastor has filed a federal lawsuit against Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris after his request to hold a Good Friday vigil on the grounds of the Capitol was denied.
He alleges that the denial prevents him from exercising his right to free speech, with the barricades essentially creating a 'no-speech zone.'
Patrick Mahoney, a Presbyterian reverend from Virginia, said in his Tuesday complaint that his 30-plus-year-long tradition of holding the service on the Lower Western Terrace was denied this year by the Capitol Hill Police Department.
He alleges that the denial prevents him from exercising his right to free speech, with the barricades essentially creating a 'no-speech zone.'
Patrick Mahoney, a Presbyterian reverend from Virginia, said in his Tuesday complaint that his 30-plus-year-long tradition of holding the service on the Lower Western Terrace was denied this year by the Capitol Hill Police Department.
In the suit, the pastor claims that he has held the vigil at the same spot for years - including in 2020, when he worked with Capitol Police to ensure that he followed guidelines set in place for COVID-19.
The suit names Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Vice President Kamala Harris, the U.S. Capitol Police Board and Sergeant and Arms Karen H. Gibson as defendants in the matter.
The suit names Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Vice President Kamala Harris, the U.S. Capitol Police Board and Sergeant and Arms Karen H. Gibson as defendants in the matter.
