Fort Worth Police Admit Inaccurate First Amendment Remarks in June 27 Pride Citation
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 10
Fort Worth Police Admit Inaccurate First Amendment Remarks in June 27 Pride Citation
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 10
Summary
Fort Worth police said an officer made "certain statements that were not accurate" during a June 27 encounter with a Christian street preacher outside Trinity Pride Fest.
The department said the preacher was cited for disorderly conduct after continuing to use a bullhorn despite warnings that it violated the city's noise ordinance, and said he remained free to protest without amplification.
Videos posted on X this week showed officers saying calling a biological male "sir" was a "gray area" and that "offensive" speech could draw a ticket if someone was offended.
Fort Worth said its law department will give refresher First Amendment training to officers and recruits, while insisting it protects speech regardless of viewpoint.
The episode has widened beyond the local dispute after Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon reposted one video on Friday and said the Civil Rights Division was "on it."