Say " It Ain't So", Virginia Commonwealth University!

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) , the largest university in Virginia is located on two downtown campuses in Richmond. VCU boasts an enrollment of more than 32,000 students.

Public safety is provided by the VCU Police Department, which is an Accredited Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission Agency. Given the security challenges of an open campus environment, The VCU Police Department has a tremendous responsibility in safeguarding students and the greater VCU community. The VCU Police department has a strong reputation for the public service it provides to VCU families.

Which raises the question, why would a VCU Police officer cite a private citizen for trespassing while on a public sidewalk adjacent to a VCU building?

Well, it seems that if the citizen is associated with The Richmond Biblical Evangelism Team (RBET), stands on a public sidewalk, and leans on a VCU landscape wall, the chances of being cited by VCU Police may increase significantly.

Recently, one Friday evening between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. The RBET was preaching across the street from the dorms on the corner of Franklin St. and Laurel. Two VCU Police officers approached the group and expressed concern for the group's safety.

One of the officers familiar with the RBET (Some RBET members are VCU students) noticed one of the RBET members leaning on a wall that circled the perimeter of a VCU building talking to someone. He was standing on a city sidewalk during the conversation.

The officer asked if the RBET team member if he was a VCU student. The RBET team member replied "No". The officer then escorted the RBET team member across the street and began writing him a citation for trespassing.

Of course, the presumption of innocence concept, "innocent til proving guilty" is a key element of American jurisprudence. However is standing on a public sidewalk, leaning on a wall of a public university a threat to public safety?

Is it illegal?

How does open air Bible preaching on a Friday night in downtown Richmond rate the official attention of VCU Police officers?

The RBET has received similar attention from the Richmond City Police Department when three RBET members were arrested for street preaching under a noise ordinance. The charges were later dismissed.

The venerable Richmond Times Dispatch covered the story, incorrectly reporting that "Three Richmond street preachers plan to keep using loudspeakers to spread their message, after a judge dismissed charges they violated the city noise ordinance."

That erroneous statement could have been avoided if the Times Dispatch exercised due diligence by making direct inquiry of the RBET. It would have learned that the RBET is complying with all existing noise ordinances.

One Richmond area resident shared this editorial, Loud Music Is OK; Loud Preaching Isn't.

Meanwhile in California, Christians exercising free speech receive police escort off public streets as angry pro-homosexual protesters exercise their loud, threatening angry free speech.

What's wrong with this picture, America?