Christian Minister Sues Pelosi & Harris For Blocking Good Friday Prayer Vigil
A Presbyterian minister is suing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris, the U.S. Capitol Police Board, and the Senate Sergeant at Arms. The minister claims that the continued presence of the fortified walls around the Capitol building is violating his First Amendment rights.
Rev. Patrick Mahoney’s complaint, filed Tuesday in federal court, says that he’s been trying to hold a prayer vigil for Good Friday on the sidewalk located near the Lower Western Terrace of the Capitol.
According to Fox, authorities denied Mahoney’s request.
Mahoney claims that he had held many similar events at the same location in the past, including last year during the Trump Administration. He worked with the Capitol Police to make sure the event complied with coronavirus restrictions.
“These acts by Defendants have effectively created a no-speech zone in one of the most important public forums in the nation,” the complaint reads.
Following the protests on January 6, the Capitol became heavily fortified. Mahoney stated that the incident was part of the inspiration for the vigil, saying in the lawsuit that it is “for the express purpose of beseeching God’s healing from the divisiveness and anxiety lingering over our nation since the tragic events of January 6, 2021.”
Mahoney claims that the rejection of his religious event violates his First Amendment rights of free speech, assembly, and free exercise of religion. Additionally, he claims that his Fifth Amendment rights to due process were violated.
Pelosi and her friends have not responded for comment.
The Center For American Liberty bringing Mahoney’s lawsuit on his behalf.
“Denying a minister and faithful parishioners the ability to pray outside the U.S. Capitol is unfathomable and violates First Amendment guarantees for traditional public forums,” the Center’s CEO, Harmeet K. Dhillon, said in a statement.
