Gairney Bridge

I had no idea that a freedom of speech case (with a view toward religious expression) was taking place in my own town (at least for the next month or so) of Cumming, Georgia. The Alliance Defense Fund has taken the case. Here is a brief briefing of the facts surrounding it:

On April 22, Frederic Baumann was arrested for distributing religious tracts on a public sidewalk outside the City of Cumming fairgrounds.  Officials told Baumann he violated a city ordinance requiring parade and demonstration organizers to obtain a permit prior to such activities.  However, the permit only applies to private organizations or groups of three or more persons. Baumann’s multiple requests to view a copy of the ordinance were denied.  He was arrested and served two days in jail before being convicted before a municipal court judge, who sentenced him to time already served.  Because he was not told he would stand trial that day, Baumann was not given ample opportunity to obtain legal counsel.

Here is a link to the story.