- Feb 5, 2002
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A Christian preacher in the United Kingdom who was arrested for saying “God bless you” to protesters at a pro-Palestinian demonstration now plans to sue Wiltshire Police, arguing officers have repeatedly violated his freedom of speech.
Shaun O’Sullivan, who preaches at the Awaken church in Swindon and often speaks to homeless individuals and addicts on the streets, says police have a “vendetta” against him. He has been arrested 16 times, yet none of the charges have resulted in a conviction. A jury unanimously dismissed the most recent case in just 90 minutes, according to the Daily Mail.
The incident occurred after he said, “God bless you,” which reportedly offended Muslims at the march. He had previously been accused of harassment for saying, “Pray for the Jews and pray for the Palestinians.” After the most recent remark, a female officer told him the phrase could be a crime “if it causes distress” and said that “if that person was a Muslim,” they may be distressed.
Under Section 5 of the Public Order Act, a person commits an offense if they use “threatening or abusive words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour…within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby."
Continued below.
humanevents.com
Shaun O’Sullivan, who preaches at the Awaken church in Swindon and often speaks to homeless individuals and addicts on the streets, says police have a “vendetta” against him. He has been arrested 16 times, yet none of the charges have resulted in a conviction. A jury unanimously dismissed the most recent case in just 90 minutes, according to the Daily Mail.
The incident occurred after he said, “God bless you,” which reportedly offended Muslims at the march. He had previously been accused of harassment for saying, “Pray for the Jews and pray for the Palestinians.” After the most recent remark, a female officer told him the phrase could be a crime “if it causes distress” and said that “if that person was a Muslim,” they may be distressed.
Under Section 5 of the Public Order Act, a person commits an offense if they use “threatening or abusive words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour…within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby."
Continued below.
Christian preacher arrested in UK after saying ‘God bless you’ to Gaza war protesters
Shaun O’Sullivan has been arrested 16 times and claims police have a “vendetta” against him.
humanevents.com
The UK National Anthem is called "God Save the King" 
