Several weeks ago, the city agreed to pay him $50,000 to settle the matter.

As reported by The Oregonian, Portland City Council on May 27 approved the settlement with Mark Mayberry, a resident of the southwest Oregon town of Riddle. Represented by Salem attorney Ray Hacke, Mayberry had sued the city in federal court for $300,000 in damages, claiming his First Amendment rights were violated.

Mayberry travels throughout the state to share the Gospel and call for an end to abortion. On June 1, 2019, Mayberry was at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland holding a sign defending the unborn, passing out related tracts, and conversing with people about abortion and the Gospel when a park officer ordered Mayberry to leave.

Asserting that he had a constitutionally protected right of free speech, Mayberry refused. The park officer then issued him a citation barring him from coming to the park for 30 days. The city also charged Mayberry with violating an ordinance by refusing to obey the officer's orders, and also with violating a state harassment statute.

But Mayberry's lawyers from the Pacific Justice Institute argued his actions didn't fit the law's definition of harassment, specifically using insulting or abusive language or acting to provoke a violent response. Mayberry's peaceful actions were far from that, they said, and they appealed the matter to the city's auditor's office.

A city hearings officer ruled the issuance of the citation had indeed violated Mayberry's free speech rights under both the state and federal constitutions, and Mayberry's exclusion from the park was then declared invalid.

Randy Stenquist, a liability manager for the city, said Portland has since made changes in its training within the parks and police departments.

Christian News Northwest

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

'Young Washington' Delivers Record Opening Weekend for Angel Studios

After an Emotional Loss to Belgium, the US Men's Team Continued to Give God the Glory

A 'Miracle': CCP Releases Pastor Ezra Jin

House Speaker Johnson Braces for a High-Stakes July with Everything on the Line

Why the NATO Summit in Ankara Matters to the US

New Report Details Secret Service Failures in Butler Assassination Attempt

Charlie Kirk's Family Faces Accused Killer Tyler Robinson for the First Time as Murder Case Moves Forward

'The Passion of the Christ' Getting Theatrical Re-Release Ahead of Highly Anticipated Sequel

A Sweet Update on That Oregon Couple Who Stepped Up at the Great American State Fair

The World Lights Up for America's 250th, While the American Left Opts to Whine About It

The America 250 Celebration in DC Was One for the History Books (Videos)

Must Watch: Katharine Birbalsingh's Fiery ARC Speech-How Schools Are Destroying the Moral Core of the West (Video)

DHS Condemns Minnesota Pardon of Convicted Child Rapist

The President Rings NYSE Opening Bell from the Oval Office, While Officially Launching the Trump Accounts for Children

Venezuelan Earthquake Death Toll Soars as Country's Independence Day Arrives

July 4th Fireworks Will Be Great on America's 250th Birthday, But Your Dog Will Hate Them!

Our Favorite Patriotic Tunes, Part 2: 3 Songs Swiped from the Brits (Videos)

World Cup: Team USA Wins, Goes to the Sweet 16 Round against Belgium on Monday

3,000 Walk Boston's Freedom Trail: 'We Have A Lot to Thank God For'

Except for Democrats, a New Survey Shows Americans Still DO Have Pride in Their Country (And We Don't Mean the LGBT Kind)