He won big.
Pastor Matthew Meinecke has achieved a major legal victory with the help of First Liberty, resulting in a consent order against the city of Seattle. This agreement provides Pastor Meinecke with a clear right to freely share his religious message in Seattle, addressing the wrongful arrests he experienced during the summer of 2022. Alongside this freedom, the settlement also includes financial compensation for past grievances and legal expenses.
Meinecke’s legal issues began when he was arrested at a pro-abortion rally in Seattle. During the event, he attempted to read the Bible and distribute religious literature but faced hostility, leading to two separate arrests. The consent order recognizes that these arrests were a result of undue suppression of his First Amendment rights, ensuring that he can now engage in religious expression without fear of arrest.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals supported Meinecke’s case in April, condemning the city’s actions as unconstitutional “heckler’s vetoes.” The court emphasized that restricting speech based on audience reactions infringes on fundamental rights, highlighting that the loss of First Amendment freedoms constitutes a serious and irreparable harm.
Nate Kellum, senior counsel at First Liberty, praised the outcome, emphasizing that government should not stifle speech simply because it is unpopular. Pastor Meinecke is pleased to move forward and continue his mission of sharing the Gospel in Seattle.
In a related development, street preacher Damon Atkins faced arrest in Reading, Pennsylvania, during an LGBT pride month rally, resulting in tensions with local law enforcement. Similarly, activist Rich Penkoski claimed that his Cash App account was deactivated due to his protests against LGBT events, illustrating ongoing conflicts involving religious expression and LGBTQ+ issues.