(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) David Atkins, a Christian man who was detained for reading a Bible verse at a Pride event, may pursue legal action against the police officers who wrongfully detained him.
The disturbing arrest, captured on video by a bystander, took place in Reading, Pennsylvania. It involved a police officer aggressively arresting and throwing Atkins, a peaceful protester. The charges against Atkins were later dismissed by the Berks County District Attorney.
In a press release, the Berks County District Attorney stated, “After a review of the incident which took place on June 3, 2023, in the 800 block of Washington Street in the City of Reading, the District Attorney’s Office has withdrawn the charges of disorderly conduct filed against Damon Atkins.”
After a review of the incident which took place on June 3rd in the 800bl of Washington St in Reading, our office has withdrawn charges of disorderly conduct filed against Damon Atkins. The charges were withdrawn after we reviewed the videos of the incident & applicable case law.
— Berks County DA (@BerksDA) June 7, 2023
Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach commented that the dismissed charges could potentially expose the Reading police department to legal action from Atkins. In an email obtained by The Lancaster Patriot, Leinbach, expressed his belief that the arrest was unlawful, stating, “From what I have seen thus far I believe this was an unlawful arrest and could open the City of Reading and their police department to legal action.”
Officer Bradley T. McClure’s affidavit, which led to Atkins’ arrest for alleged “disorderly conduct,” was contradicted by video footage of the incident. The footage, which has since gone viral, shows Atkins attempting to recite a Bible verse, 1 Corinthians 14:33, to LGBTQ community members attending the pride event.
In the video, three officers can be seen forcefully apprehend Atkins, pushing him against a wall and escorting him away while chants and shouts from the crowd filled the air. Prior to the arrest, Officer McClure had demanded Atkins to leave the scene and let the LGBTQ members have their day.
In a recent interview with Dan Andros, managing editor for the Christian Broadcasting Network, Atkins expressed his shock and disappointment over the incident. He recalled the officer approaching him and demanding that he be silent, despite his belief that he had the constitutional right to be there and spread his religious message.
Atkins remains resolute in his belief, now backed by the dismissed charges, that he was not being disrespectful or disruptive, but merely sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
It is currently unclear whether Atkins intends to take legal action against the Reading Police Department.
Watch Atkins described the full account of the disturbing arrest below:
