UK LAUNCHES STREET PREACHER'S CHARTER TO PROTECT EVANGELISTS FROM WRONGFUL ARRESTS

Amid rising arrests of evangelists, a new parliamentary charter aims to protect street preachers from fines and discrimination in the United Kingdom, following high profile cases of compensation payouts to affected pastors.

The Street Preacher's Charter was launched in Parliament to establish clear legal protections for Christian evangelists who have faced increasing harassment, arrests, and prosecutions while proclaiming the Gospel in public spaces.

The initiative comes after multiple cases where street preachers were wrongfully arrested, charged with public order offenses, and later acquitted or awarded compensation when courts ruled their arrests violated freedom of speech and religious expression.

Recent high profile cases include Christian street preacher Shaun O'Sullivan, who was acquitted in November 2025 after being charged with religiously aggravated harassment for saying "We love the Jews" during street preaching. The six day trial cost an estimated £20,000 in taxpayer funds.

The charter seeks to clarify legal rights for street evangelists and prevent police from arresting preachers based solely on complaints from offended listeners, a practice that has become increasingly common across Britain.

Christian Legal Centre, which has defended numerous street preachers, reports a dramatic increase in arrests and prosecutions of evangelists over the past five years, with most cases ultimately dismissed or resulting in acquittals.

Pastor John Sherwood, 71, was previously arrested and dragged from his preaching platform outside Uxbridge Station in 2021 after complaints about his sermon on marriage. He was later cleared of all charges.

The charter establishes that street preaching is a historic and constitutionally significant practice in Britain, central to the development of freedom of religion and speech, and that expressing religious beliefs in public cannot constitute a crime simply because some find the message offensive.

Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of Christian Legal Centre, welcomed the charter, stating it provides necessary protection for street preachers who have been subjected to wrongful prosecution and police overreach.

The initiative has cross party support from MPs concerned about erosion of free speech and religious liberty in Britain, particularly as police increasingly respond to complaints based on subjective feelings of offense rather than objective legal standards.

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

Britain needed a charter to protect street preaching.

That sentence should terrify every Christian.

For 500 years, British street preachers proclaimed the Gospel freely.

Wesley, Whitefield, Spurgeon all preached in public without fear of arrest.

Now evangelists need parliamentary protection to avoid prosecution for saying "We love the Jews."

The fact that this charter is necessary proves Britain has criminalized Christianity.

Police arrest preachers based on complaints from offended listeners.

Not because laws were broken.

Because feelings were hurt.

That is not law enforcement.

That is thought police enforcing emotional tyranny.

Shaun O'Sullivan's acquittal cost £20,000 in taxpayer funds for a six day trial over three words.

How many more preachers were arrested, fined, and unable to afford legal defense?

This charter is victory and defeat simultaneously.

Victory because it protects preachers.

Defeat because protection was needed at all.

Free speech that requires a charter is not free speech.

It is permitted speech.

And what Parliament permits today, Parliament can revoke tomorrow.

TAKE ACTION

1. Support the Street Preacher's Charter by contacting your MP via parliament.uk/get-involved thanking them if they support religious freedom and demanding support if they do not. Urge passage of strong legal protections for evangelists.
2. Donate to Christian Legal Centre defending street preachers from wrongful prosecution. Visit christianconcern.com or call +44 (0)20 3327 1120 to fund free legal representation for evangelists facing arrest and prosecution for preaching the Gospel.
3. Become a street evangelist in your community, exercising freedoms the charter aims to protect. Contact your local church about open air preaching, Gospel distribution, and public evangelism opportunities in town centers and public spaces.
4. Document police overreach if you witness street preachers being arrested or harassed. Record interactions legally, collect witness information, and immediately contact Christian Legal Centre at +44 (0)20 3327 1120 to report violations of religious freedom.
5. Train in open air evangelism through organizations like Open Air Mission at oam.org.uk or +44 (0)1536 507151. Learn biblical methods, legal rights, and effective techniques for proclaiming Christ in public spaces without compromise or fear.
6. Pray for British street preachers facing hostile police, offended listeners, and potential prosecution for preaching Scripture. Contact Release International at releaseinternational.org or +44 (0)1689 823491 to join prayer networks supporting persecuted evangelists in the UK.