Press Release | Charges Against a California Street Pastor Dropped by District Attorney
ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2024
CONTACT: Nicole Velasco
NVELASCO@FAITH-FREEDOM.COM
Murrieta, CA— In a victory for free speech and religious liberty, the San Bernardino County District Attorney has dismissed all charges against Arturo Fernandez, a California street preacher arrested while peacefully preaching outside a public events arena in Ontario, California. Pastor Fernandez was unlawfully charged with trespassing despite remaining on a public sidewalk, conducting himself lawfully, and exercising his First Amendment rights.
The arrest occurred after a security guard, acting on behalf of a private entity using the city-owned arena, objected to Pastor Fernandez’s preaching and instructed him to leave. When Pastor Fernandez respectfully asserted his constitutional right to free speech on public property, the Ontario Police Department arrested him, booked him into jail, and charged him with trespassing.
Advocates for Faith & Freedom immediately issued demand letters to the Ontario Police Department and to the District Attorney, urging the dismissal of the baseless charge. Following the dismissal of the charge, the arena issued a statement that they “regret the initial issuance of the Citation” against Pastor Fernandez.
“This dismissal is a victory for free speech and religious expression,” said Julianne Fleischer, an attorney with Advocates for Faith & Freedom. “Pastor Fernandez was peacefully exercising his God-given and constitutionally protected rights to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While we have the utmost respect for the men and women in law enforcement, no government entity has the right to silence lawful public preaching.”
This case underscores hostility toward public expressions of faith in America. Advocates for Faith & Freedom remains committed to defending individuals like Pastor Fernandez, ensuring their voices are not silenced in the public square.
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Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.