Supreme Court revives Mississippi preacher Gabriel Olivier’s lawsuit

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday revived a lawsuit by Gabriel Olivier, an evangelical Christian who was barred from demonstrating in Brandon, Mississippi, after authorities said he shouted insults over a loudspeaker, the court said.

The court unanimously found Olivier can pursue a forward-looking remedy despite a prior conviction that had stopped lower courts from allowing the suit. “Given that Olivier asked for only a forward-looking remedy—an injunction stopping officials from enforcing the city ordinance in the future—his suit can proceed, notwithstanding his prior conviction,” Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the court.

City officials said Olivier had shouted insults such as “whores,” “Jezebel,” and “nasty” at people and sometimes displayed signs showing aborted fetuses. Olivier’s lawyers said he was demonstrating peacefully and was arrested after refusing to move to a designated protest zone.

Kelly Shackelford, president and CEO of the conservative nonprofit First Liberty Institute, said the ruling was broader than Olivier’s case. “This is not only a win for the right to share your faith in public, but also a win for every American’s right to have their day in court when their First Amendment rights are violated,” he said.

The decision allows Olivier to file a civil-rights lawsuit seeking to block future enforcement but does not guarantee he will prevail. Local governments warned a ruling for Olivier could prompt new suits against towns and cities. The city of Brandon said the restrictions were not about religion, that Olivier had other legal avenues to challenge the law, and that the ordinance had already survived another lawsuit, city attorneys said.

Source: Original Article