Myrtle Beach says it used reasonable restrictions in Bike Week preacher speech case
Myrtle Beach says it acted reasonably when it forced a street preacher to move during Memorial Day bike week.
The preacher — Brian Cranford — filed a civil lawsuit in October against the city and several police officers. Cranford said that he was targeted by police and forced to move from a public park during Memorial Day bike week. He also said a friend was arrested during the event.
Cranford said he was sharing his message on city sidewalks on May 25, which was during the Atlantic Beach bike week festivities in Myrtle Beach along Ocean Boulevard.
While Cranford was in Plyler Park, an officer told him the city manager signed an executive order to shut down the park, the suit claims. To avoid arrest, Cranford left and walked the sidewalks. He was then told to turn off his amplifier. About an hour after Cranford left the park, the suit claims, it was filled with people socializing, walking and running in the park.
Read more: https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article237879694.html