“The world is going to hell in a handbasket and all of you will be riding on top.” These were just some of the words students were bombarded with on their way to and from classes on Wednesday.
A big sign pointed to the heavens, and big bold letters that read “Repent” were seen before students could even tell who was trying to guide them into the light of righteousness. As students got closer, shouts through a bullhorn reverberated the need for students to repent or they’d be given a one-way ticket to hell.
Their message was loud and clear. Even if students ignored it, the religious group continued their barrage of words at students. Many people endured while the group berated them for their decision to go to college and have someone “tell them how to think.” The group’s speaker continued shouting through his bullhorn, repeating if students continued their current direction, they’d be first in line to hell.
Freedom of speech is a powerful notion, and even more so when people feel attacked by the very words that are so protected by the First Amendment. Two grievances were filed against the religious group as they fumed in the faces of students while marching in front of the EMU. The complaints filed were from students who felt threatened by the speaker getting in their faces and yelling in their ears with a bullhorn.
According to Department of Public Safety Associate Director Tom Hicks, DPS responded to the first complaint about the group’s conduct, telling the demonstrators they could not use the bullhorn because it was not authorized. The group immediately toned down its demonstration, but continued rallying in support of Jesus and the need for people repent their sins.
The group’s compliance with the DPS request to “tone it down” showed great tact on their part. Considering some students were very offended by their mere presence, the group’s actions showed common courtesy and a certain respect for individual rights.
The second complainant was offended by the content of the religious group’s speech. DPS responded once again, but this time officers stood back without addressing the religious group, to see if members were being confrontational in their address. According to Hicks, they were not, so the officers advised the complainants that the group was in its rights as protected by free speech and the First Amendment.
The editorial board commends DPS for sitting back and taking the entire situation into account before going to the group with their concerns, and the group, as well, for heeding requests of the officers who responded. Upon further observation, officers were able to see that the group did nothing other than shout out its message — which is their right. This kind of behavior is an excellent example of how other groups should act in exercising their free speech rights.