Willie R. Tubbs, FISM News
Another sign of the upside-down world that America has become was seen late last month in the city of Seattle when a preacher was arrested after he was victimized by a crime.
As first reported by independent journalist Jonathan Choe, Matthew Meinecke was arrested for refusing to leave the area around a Seattle pro-abortion protest and pride rally.
Meinecke, who refers to himself on Twitter as The Seattle Preacher, provided video evidence that suggests he was behaving peacefully and only reading the Word of God aloud when numerous people surrounded him and, while shouting vulgar insults, stole and destroyed his Bibles.
“Desecration of another [person’s] Religious material is a HATE CRIME,” Meinecke tweeted. “If this was a Quran people would be outraged. People must really hate the WORD of GOD right now.”
Desecration of another persons Religious material is a HATE CRIME.
If this was a Quran people would be outraged. People must really hate the WORD of GOD right now. pic.twitter.com/IjXqab1qma— The Seattle Preacher (@mattteamjesus) June 26, 2022
Later in the day, a gaggle of police officers arrived, not to take a statement from Meinecke but to order him to leave. The officers, some of whose remarks are available in a different video shared by Meinecke, said they wanted Meinecke to leave because he, not the people who attacked him, posed a threat to public safety.
“SPD has enough resources to send 10 police officers to arrest a preacher reading his Bible in a public park. Because it’s such a horrible crime now!” Meinecke posted at the time.
SPD has enough resources to send 10 police officers to arrest a preacher reading his Bible in a public park. Because it's such a horrible crime now! pic.twitter.com/pytbNDel9I
— The Seattle Preacher (@mattteamjesus) June 27, 2022
In a video of Meinecke’s encounter with the police, one officer can be heard saying, “So at this point, we can no longer stand by. The risk that you pose for public safety by remaining here can be mitigated if you leave. It’s your last chance.”
When Meinecke politely refused to leave, he was arrested.
“I was at the Seattle Center, reading the Bible, not aggressively preaching, not stirring people up, not anything,” Meinecke said during a brief interview with Choe. “People throwing things. People vandalizing our property … Your job is not to silence me and move me. Why are they so offended by words? I just believe in using the word of God.”
#EXCLUSIVE: Earlier today, @SeaCityAttorney not filing obstruction charge against street evangelist @mattteamjesus. He was arrested twice last week for preaching during #RoeVsWade rally + #SeattlePride. Far left extremists ripped up his Bible and assaulted him. But they got away. pic.twitter.com/S4rFlHnKaH
— Jonathan Choe Journalist (@choeshow) June 29, 2022
The good news for Meinecke, per a report from Choe, is that Seattle’s city attorney has opted to not pursue charges against the preacher. However, the people who accosted and victimized Meinecke will face no consequences, either.
HE FORGIVES THEM: @mattteamjesus says he might request @SeattlePD body cams to see what happened during arrests. He says he's positive he did not commit any crimes and continues to support SPD. I asked for police side of story but PIO told me to file public disclosure request. pic.twitter.com/96EC0W7ZTU
— Jonathan Choe Journalist (@choeshow) June 29, 2022
According to an update from Choe, Meinecke says he forgives Seattle PD for having arrested him but is contemplating requesting bodycam footage of the incident.