Wheaton College students allowed to return to Millennium Park for evangelism
by Jordan Hilger, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Four Wheaton College students who had been banned from preaching in Chicago’s Millennium Park were granted the right to return to their evangelism after a federal court ruled in their favor.
Jeremy Chong, Matt Swart, Gabriel Emerson, and Caeden Hood had been accustomed to meeting at the famous “bean” statue in the park on Friday nights to pass out tracts and spread the gospel until park supervisors announced new rules relegating them to areas with fewer people.
“Certainly, given the record here, the park fits the bill as a traditional public forum: it is free, open to the public, and serves as a public thoroughfare,” U.S. District Judge Robert Blakey ruled, determining the park was a venue for free speech.
The students saw the ruling as a victory for love and free speech.
“The end goal of the lawsuit was primarily about evangelism and getting the Gospel to people because we love them,” Chong said. “An essential part of Christianity is sharing the gospel.”