Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Arrested Christian Street Preacher

The court unanimously affirmed the preacher's right to challenge the law that led to his arrest.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 1:20am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Mississippi street preacher, Gabriel Olivier, who sued the city of Brandon over a law that banned him from preaching near an amphitheater. Olivier claimed the law violated his First Amendment rights, and the court unanimously agreed that he should be allowed to challenge the law in court, even though he had previously been convicted and fined under it.

Why it matters

This decision is seen as a victory for the right to free speech and religious expression in public spaces. It establishes that individuals can challenge laws that they believe infringe on their constitutional rights, even if they have already faced consequences under those laws.

The details

In 2019, the city of Brandon, Mississippi, passed an ordinance requiring individuals or groups engaging in 'protests' or 'demonstrations' near the amphitheater to stay within a designated protest area. In 2021, Olivier was arrested for violating this ordinance while preaching on the sidewalk near the amphitheater. He pleaded no contest, paid a fine, and served probation, but then filed a federal lawsuit seeking to have the ordinance declared unconstitutional and to prevent its future enforcement.

  • In 2019, the City of Brandon, Mississippi, passed an ordinance requiring individuals or groups engaging in 'protests' or 'demonstrations' near the amphitheater to stay within a designated protest area.
  • In 2021, Olivier was arrested for violating this ordinance while preaching on the sidewalk near the amphitheater.

The players

Gabriel Olivier

A Mississippi street preacher who sued the city of Brandon over a law that banned him from preaching near an amphitheater, claiming the law violated his First Amendment rights.

City of Brandon, Mississippi

The city that passed an ordinance in 2019 requiring individuals or groups engaging in 'protests' or 'demonstrations' near the amphitheater to stay within a designated protest area, leading to Olivier's arrest in 2021.

First Liberty Institute

The legal organization that represented Olivier in his lawsuit against the city of Brandon.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is not only a win for the right to share your faith in public, but also a win for every American's right to have their day in court when their First Amendment rights are violated.”

— Kelly Shackelford, President, CEO, and Chief Counsel, First Liberty Institute

“We're delighted that the Supreme Court unanimously affirmed Gabe's right to his day in court. It's just common sense that a citizen who is arrested under an unconstitutional law should be able to challenge that law.”

— Allyson Ho, Co-chair of First Liberty's Nationwide Appellate and Constitutional Law Practice Group

“No American should be criminally charged for sharing their faith in public. This is a wonderful day for Gabe and for the First Amendment.”

— Nate Kellum, Senior Counsel, First Liberty

What’s next

The case will now return to the lower courts, where Olivier will have the opportunity to challenge the constitutionality of the Brandon, Mississippi ordinance that led to his arrest.

The takeaway

This Supreme Court ruling is a significant victory for the right to free speech and religious expression in public spaces, establishing that individuals can challenge laws they believe infringe on their constitutional rights, even if they have already faced consequences under those laws.