SPEECHLESS: @mattteamjesus is a Seattle street preacher regularly targeted by people who oppose his Bible reading at public events. I spent hours following him today at #TacomaPride. He had 3 Bibles trashed, 2 signs stolen, and only 1 person standing up for him. This is America.
ALLOWED TO STAY: Police did not interfere w/ @mattteamjesus and other street preachers at #TacomaPride. A Spanish speaking church was also present. Officers were well aware of 1st Amendment rights to express religious beliefs on public property, even with hostile crowd. #Tacoma
SO MANY DYNAMICS: I started following @mattteamjesus's story because he was getting targeted by Antifa and far left activists in Seattle. They accuse him of hating #LGBTQ folks. Even some Christians question his approach. But LISTEN to what he actually says when confronted.
SATANIC TEMPLE DEFENDS PREACHER…SORT OF: Spoke to member of the @satanic_temple_ Seattle chapter. He says the people walking around #TacomaPride with upside down crosses on their foreheads do not believe in Satan and agrees Bibles should not be shredded, even if people disagree.
MEANWHILE: @mattteamjesus had no issues with Tacoma Police. But getting ready to sue Seattle Police for allegedly violating his 1st Amendment rights when he was arrested for obstruction as he tried to read his Bible in the presence of a hostile crowd.
FINAL LOOK: Tough to see @mattteamjesus targeted by hostile mob at #TacomaPride. But overall, vast majority of #LGBTQ community+allies were respectful and welcoming. Especially Elaine, as she picked up pieces of his shredded Bible. Her gracious actions spoke louder than words.
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NEW VIDEO: Seattle street preacher @mattteamjesus is preparing to sue @SeattlePD for what he calls a violation of his 1st Amendment rights. We are getting a clearer picture of of his arrest during last month’s abortion rights rally. Commentary and vid courtesy:The Rayanne Show
TWO ARRESTS: @mattteamjesus says he was arrested two times as he tried to read the Bible during an abortion rights rally and Seattle Pride parade. @SeattlePD referred one of the obstruction arrest cases to @SeaCityAttorney@_Ann_Davison_ but her office did not file charges.
#EXCLUSIVE: @CRE_Law says @SeattlePD violated @mattteamjesus constitutional rights after HE was arrested in Seattle last month for reading Bible on public property during abortion rights rally and gay parade. Christian law firm says SPD allowed "a mob to shut down a speaker."
LEGAL INTERPRETATION: This is going to be key. @CRE_Law says @SeattlePD is using the "time place and manner restriction" argument to remove @mattteamjesus. Christian law firm believes it was incorrectly enforced by police. That's why they're suing. #Seattle
LEGAL PRECEDENT: @CRE_Law says the outcome of this case will not only impact @mattteamjesus and other Christians who want to express their faith at public events, but other groups as well. #Seattle
#BREAKING: Seattle street preacher @mattteamjesus says he intends to file a lawsuit against @SeattlePD, claiming his 1st Amendment rights were violated when he was arrested last month at Seattle Pride as he tried to read the Bible on public property. He spoke to me EXCLUSIVELY.
LEGAL REPRESENTATION: @mattteamjesus says he’s retained @CRE_Law(Center for Religious Expression)for this legal battle and also filed a complaint with @SeattleOPA(Seattle Office of Police Accountability)
#EXCLUSIVE: Earlier today, @SeaCityAttorney not filing obstruction charge against street evangelist @mattteamjesus. He was arrested twice last week for preaching during #RoeVsWade rally + #SeattlePride. Far left extremists ripped up his Bible and assaulted him. But they got away.
IN COURT: Clerk said no obstruction charge filed so he just left. @mattteamjesus says he was disappointed with @SeattlePD’s decision to arrest him on then refer for charge. But he says he forgives them and plans on going back to preaching on street. #Seattle
HE FORGIVES THEM: @mattteamjesus says he might request @SeattlePD body cams to see what happened during arrests. He says he's positive he did not commit any crimes and continues to support SPD. I asked for police side of story but PIO told me to file public disclosure request.
#BREAKING: @KCCReaganDunn introducing pilot program forming task force and giving county authority to remove homeless encampments in woods along Green River Rd/unincorporated King County. More details in my investigative series "Hidden Crisis in the Woods" pt. 2 launching today.
RIGHT NOW: Currently, King Co. does not clear homeless encampments on County property and has no procedures in place to do so. This is not a done deal. Entire @KCCouncil needs to vote in coming weeks. @KCCReaganDunn says legislation would only apply to this wooded area.
INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE: It would include @kingcosoPIO, Depart of Community and Health Services, Local Services Roads' Division, in collaboration with @kcrha. Responsible for clean up plan involving current and future encampments and connecting homeless with shelter.
HERE WE GO AGAIN: Another twitter follower says even more “Jonathan Choe is a Wet Bitch” stickers are showing up around Seattle. Huge influx on 2nd Ave. and 4th Ave. in downtown. 😂 There’s even one right next to the “Stop @MayorofSeattle Horror Show” sticker. #Seattle#WetBitch
UNWANTED ATTENTION: When @TheStranger starts to write about this “Jonathan Choe is a Wet Bitch” sticker, I guess it’s really becoming a thing. Who spends time and resources creating these? 🤷🏽♂️😂 #Wetbitch#Seattle
LOVE THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES: Even the far left activist community is acknowledging the prevalence of these stickers. So who’s behind all this? Gotta be video somewhere showing the culprit/culprits. 😂 #Wetbitch#Seattle