Immunity of San Antonio Police Denied in Case of Evangelists' Unlawful Arrest and Harassment

Liberty Institute Continues Defense of San Antonio Evangelists Whose First Amendment Rights Were Violated by Irresponsible Use of Police Power

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Liberty Institute applauds the U.S. Western District Court of Texas' decision to deny a motion by San Antonio Police officers to dismiss a 2010 federal lawsuit that accuses them of the unlawful arrest and harassment of sidewalk evangelists. If found liable, the police officers will not be granted qualified immunity, but will be held accountable for "exercising their power irresponsibly."

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"We are thankful that the Court denied these government officials immunity and will allow our case to proceed," said Hiram Sasser, Liberty Institute's Director of Litigation. "The First Amendment clearly protects the rights of citizens of San Antonio and throughout the U.S. to exercise free speech and to freely distribute religious literature without fear of being treated like criminals or facing jail time."

On September 9, 2010, Liberty Institute filed a federal lawsuit against the city of San Antonio and its police officers in the case of Jose Muniz and Todd Leibovitz v. City of San Antonio.  The police officers unlawfully arrested and imprisoned overnight Todd Leibovitz, a recent Bible College graduate, for peacefully speaking about the Christian faith and sharing passages from the Bible on a public sidewalk in San Antonio. San Antonio Police also unlawfully harassed and threatened with arrest Jose Muniz, a full time Christian minister, for sharing his faith and handing out religious literature on a public sidewalk in San Antonio.

About Liberty Institute

Liberty Institute is a nonprofit legal group dedicated to defending and restoring religious liberty across America — in our schools, for our churches and throughout the public arena. Liberty's vision is to reestablish religious liberty in accordance with the principles of our nation's Founders. For information, visit www.LibertyInstitute.org.

SOURCE Liberty Institute