A pastor who was arrested while observing protests for a library’s Drag Queen Story Hour won in court Thursday when a judge dismissed the charge, ruling the pastor was not threatening or jeopardizing anyone at the event.
The case began when Pastor Afshin Yaghtin went to a public library in Spokane, Wash., Father’s Day weekend to observe Drag Queen Story Hour. Police had set up locations for protesters and counter-protesters on opposing sides of the street, but Yaghtin – not speaking or carrying a sign – stood on a strip of grass in the library parking lot. Although Yaghtin opposed the Story House, he was not protesting.
When Yaghtin refused to join either group, he was arrested for obstructing a law enforcement officer.
Judge Tracy A. Stabb ruled Thursday that the police’s orders were not “narrowly tailored” to protect constitutionally protected speech.
“While the City’s interest in protecting public safety is significant, there is no evidence that Mr. Yaghtin’s mere presence on public property was in any way jeopardizing the City’s interest,” Stabb wrote. “Mr. Yaghtin had every right to be standing on public property. He was not blocking traffic and was not conveying any kind of message that might incite a response. He was not being disorderly, disruptive, or aggressive.”
Further, “the grass strip where Mr. Yaghtin was standing was not closed to the public in…
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