A Minnesota municipality faces a federal civil rights lawsuit after police charged an open-air Christian preacher with criminal trespassing for standing in a public parking lot.The federal lawsuit, filed Tuesday by the Center for American Liberty on behalf of Bryan Conwell, accused officials of placing an unconstitutional "price tag" on free speech by forcing a peaceful speaker to buy a commercial license."The First Amendment doesn't come with a price tag," Mark Trammell, CEO of the Center for American Liberty, said in a statement.GOP LAWMAKERS URGE SUPREME COURT TO STRENGTHEN FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS FOR STREET PREACHERS"Government officials cannot force Americans to buy a license before they peacefully express their beliefs on public property.If they can silence Bryan today, they can silence anyone tomorrow," he added.Street preacher Bryan Conwell, seen holding an anti-abortion sign in an image provided by the Center for American Liberty.
Conwell faces criminal trespass charges after refusing to pay a commercial vendor fee to speak on public property.(The Center for American Liberty)Fox News Digital reached out to the City of Benson for comment but did not immediately hear back.The lawsuit, filed against the City of Benson, Minnesota, claims that city police and officials violated the constitutional rights of Conwell, an open-air street preacher and vocal advocate against abortion.Lawsuit documents given to Fox News Digital explain that Conwell regularly holds signs in a public place and waits silently, speaking only to those who approach him and engage in conversation.
The lawsuit stipulates he "blocks no one, threatens no one, and sells nothing.He asks only to be left alone to speak."YOU SHOULDN’T NEED A PERMIT TO PRAY IN YOUR OWN HOME — THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD AGREEIt continues to explain that when Conwell chose to stand in a city parking lot during a farmers' market event, one that is free and open to the public, city officials and police asked that...