Jones appealed his prosecution, saying it violated his right to free speech. A Wayne county Circuit Court Judge ruled it actually did not. But he still reversed the jury’s decision on a due process technicality.
Wrong again. It was a federal judge, and wrote in her order that Jones’ constitutional rights were violated.
April 5, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Judge clears way for Jones protest outside Dearborn mosque
By Oralandar Brand-Williams
The Detroit News
Detroit — Controversial Florida pastor Terry Jones has been given the final green light to go ahead with a protest Saturday outside a Dearborn mosque.
U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood granted a motion for an emergency temporary restraining order against Dearborn, barring the city from requiring that Jones signs a “hold harmless” agreement before approving his permit to protest in front of the Islamic Center of America.
“This is clearly an unconstitutional clause which impedes plaintiffs’ First Amendment right to free speech and assembly,” said Hood in the order. “The ordinance requiring the indemnity agreement and the “Hold Harmless” presented to Plaintiffs are unconditional and violate the First Amendment to the United States Constitution as to Plaintiff and others who wish to exercise their rights to speak and assemble in the public fora.”