Permit no longer required to share faith on N.J. town’s sidewalk

ADF, city of Wildwood officials settle case involving free speech rights
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CAMDEN, N.J. — Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have obtained a settlement from city of Wildwood officials that will allow citizens to distribute religious literature on public sidewalks, in parks, and in all other public forums without obtaining a permit. ADF attorneys filed a federal lawsuit against the city in January after a Christian man was told he would need to obtain a permit before sharing his message on a local boardwalk.

“Christians shouldn’t be discriminated against for expressing their beliefs,” said ADF Legal Counsel Dale Schowengerdt.  “ADF commends the city for its quick attention to resolve the matter and for their willingness to ensure that the First Amendment rights of Christians will be honored in Wildwood going forward.”

On June 6, 2008, Eric Wollod, a professing Christian, began to peacefully distribute religious literature on a boardwalk in the city.  A police officer approached and said he could not continue his activities without a permit.  Although the officer admitted the boardwalk was public property, Wollod complied with the officer’s request and left the area.

After placing a call to the mayor’s office, a city official told Wollod that a city ordinance limited literature distribution to only five areas of Wildwood’s boardwalk.  The official also noted that in order to use the boardwalk, Wollod would be required to first submit a detailed letter to the city in order to obtain the permit.

In March, city officials agreed to a motion filed by ADF attorneys that prevented enforcement of the ordinance.  Under the terms of a consent order issued July 8 by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Wildwood officials will change the ordinance and pay attorneys’ fees and costs. The city has also requested the assistance of ADF attorneys in revising the ordinance.

ADF-allied attorney Michael P. Laffey of the Messina Law Firm in Holmdel, N.J., served as local counsel on the case, Wollod v. City of Wildwood.

ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.