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Today, Saturday, August 11, a large number
of Christians with WCU will be on hand at the Mazo nude beach to share
biblical truth with beachgoers through the use of signs, printed tracts,
and preaching. The event is also a response to a Department of Natural
Resources maneuver to put Pastor Ralph Ovadal in jail for up to ninety
days and saddle him with a fine of up to $1,000 plus court costs.
At the behest of the DNR, the Dane County District Attorney has
charged Pastor with the crime of state disorderly conduct for a May 28,
2001 incident during which he preached a strong gospel message to a woman
acting and talking lewdly on the Mazo beach parking lot in front of
several young people.
Last Monday, the D.A. was unsuccessful in his attempt to have a
court order issued which would have banned Pastor Ovadal from the entire
Mazomanie Township. He did succeed in having a court order put in place
which stipulates that Pastor must have no contact with the woman to whom
he is accused of preaching, even though the D.A. is keeping the woman's
name secret and has refused to tell Pastor Ovadal her identity!
While Pastor Ovadal has now been hauled into court and charged with
a crime, several beachgoers who have physically assaulted WCU Christians
and many others who have used obscene and profane language have yet to be
charged. Of course, nudists taking children to the beach are never charged
for that crime. Pastor Ovadal will lead the event today.
"I am not surprised that the DNR has convinced the Dane
County D.A. to file these ridiculous charges against me. It is consistent
with the animus shown by that office toward me in the past. For instance,
in 1996, I was hit in the head from behind and knocked unconscious by a
homosexual while I was standing on the public sidewalk with a Bible in my
hand. I ended up in the emergency room with cuts and contusions as well as
a twisted knee and ankle. Although Madison Police charged my attacker with
substantial battery, the day before his trial, the Dane County D.A. called
to inform me that his charges had been dropped to an ordinance violation,
the equivalent of a parking ticket, because "Mr. Haley does not want
a criminal record." Nothing the DNR or the Dane County D.A. does to
silence my opposition to the Mazo beach or punish me for it will surprise
me at this point."
Pastor Ralph Ovadal, Director, Wisconsin Christians United
For more information, call the WCU office at (608)328-4841.
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