No resisting arrest, running away or arguing with the police.
Via Daily Signal:
Police lifted a ban on Christmas caroling after ordering a group of pro-life activists to stop singing “Silent Night” and other carols on a sidewalk outside an abortion clinic.
The carolers planned to head back to the clinic before Christmas Eve, relieved they each no longer face a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
“No one should try to shut down Christmas carols on a public sidewalk, and we’re pleased that that city has changed its tune and says it won’t do that again,” Matt Bowman, senior legal counsel for the Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, said.
Two police officers were captured on video Saturday politely telling carolers they were violating a city noise ordinance by singing “Silent Night” on a sidewalk outside an abortion clinic in Falls Church, Va.
“The Falls Church Police Department decided last Saturday that their city noise ordinance can be interpreted to stop people from singing just because abortion clinics’ workers don’t like it,” Bowman told The Daily Signal.
Falls Church police said a business called around 10:45 a.m. Saturday to report that a sidewalk was being blocked by protesters.
“Officers responded and asked the 25-30 people to move from the sidewalk; they complied,” police said in a statement provided to The Daily Signal.
Bowman and his legal team saw an issue.
“So, at Alliance Defending Freedom we had to send them a letter saying the First Amendment does not allow you to ban Christmas carols from the public sidewalk, or to let abortion workers decide that other people’s free speech is annoying,” Bowman said.
Falls Church Police Chief Mary Gavin gave Bowman a call a few hours after Alliance Defending Freedom sent a letter Monday urging police to lift the ban.
The police force decided to allow Christmas caroling outside the abortion business on South Washington Street.