| Yesterday,
federal Judge John Shabaz ruled against Pastor Ralph Ovadal's request for
an injunction against the City of Madison. The request stemmed from two
incidents last fall in which City of Madison police ordered Ovadal and a
number of Christians with him off of two different pedestrian overpasses
where they were holding a banner which stated, "Homosexuality is
sin," and a sign reading, "Christ can set you free." The
overpasses are sidewalks which span the Beltline Highway on the edge of
Madison, Wisconsin. The overpasses are fully caged in. Ovadal's group was
standing quietly holding the banner and sign.
Although yesterday's hearing was to present evidence to Judge John
Shabaz so that he could decide whether or not to issue the requested
injunction, the judge made it clear from the start that he had already
made his decision. And so he had. In fact, he had already written it out
and read it at the close of the hearing! The judge's ruling was primarily
based on the fact that some drivers had made obscene gestures and shouted
obscenities at Ovadal's group in response to their signs. Therefore,
according to the judge's ruling, an unsafe situation was created by
Ovadal's "disorderly conduct." In other words, it was explained,
Ovadal and his group caused other people to act in a disorderly fashion;
and therefore, Ovadal and his group were disorderly. The judge brushed off
testimony by Pastor Ovadal who stated that the pedestrian overpasses in
question are safer places, with regard to both picketers and motorists, to
convey a message than are sidewalks alongside busy streets. This case is
far from over!
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