Hartford officials agree to stop silencing constitutionally protected speech

HARTFORD, Conn. — Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and city of Hartford officials have agreed to a settlement that will ensure the protection of citizens’ free speech rights in public areas.  Hartford officials agreed to a permanent injunction against the use of a “breach of peace” statute and a “public disturbance” statute to infringe on constitutionally-protected speech.  In 2006, ADF attorneys filed suit against the city on a behalf of a man arrested for sharing his Christian message in public.

“Christians shouldn’t be penalized for their beliefs,” said ADF Litigation Staff Counsel Jon Scruggs.  “The First Amendment protects all speech, including speech with which others may disagree.  Cities cannot hide behind a statute as a means of silencing constitutionally-protected speech.”

Morrell attempted to share his religious beliefs on a public way in Hartford, but a police officer told him that he could not use a microphone without a permit.  Morrell agreed to speak without a microphone. Nonetheless, after a business owner complained about Morrell’s speech even without the microphone, police arrested him and took him to jail because he would not agree to stop speaking altogether.

After the city prosecutor dropped the criminal charges against Morrell, ADF attorneys filed suit in federal court for violation of his rights protected by the First Amendment.

Because the city agreed to the permanent injunction in Morrell v. City of Hartford, the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut issued an agreed-upon consent order Thursday that settles the case.

ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.