Post by Michael on Jun 16, 2007 10:41:48 GMT -5
John Banda is a 74-year old Zambian accountant and devout Christian, formerly treasurer of the United Church of Zambia, who now lives in east London. To demonstrate his faith, he sometimes carries a placard containing two quotations from the New Testament: "Jesus Christ is Lord. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."
On October 26 Mr Banda was stopped near London Bridge by three policemen, who said that the wording was in breach of the Public Order Act 1986 as it is a criminal offence to display written material which is "threatening, abusive or insulting" and intended to "stir up racial hatred". The policemen told him in no uncertain fashion that, if he continued to display his placard, he would be arrested.
Mr Banda comments: "When I came to Britain I thought I was coming to a Christian country. I did not realise that to advertise my faith would make me a criminal." He has every intention of continuing to do so.
from Daily Telegraph
On October 26 Mr Banda was stopped near London Bridge by three policemen, who said that the wording was in breach of the Public Order Act 1986 as it is a criminal offence to display written material which is "threatening, abusive or insulting" and intended to "stir up racial hatred". The policemen told him in no uncertain fashion that, if he continued to display his placard, he would be arrested.
Mr Banda comments: "When I came to Britain I thought I was coming to a Christian country. I did not realise that to advertise my faith would make me a criminal." He has every intention of continuing to do so.
from Daily Telegraph