Christian group that sparked disturbance at Arab International Festival raises eyebrows again

(WXYZ) - The Christian activist group that sparked a disturbance at this year’s Arab International Festival is once again raising eyebrows.

This time the group is suing the Wayne County Sheriff’s department saying it didn’t protect their first amendment rights.

Members of the Bible Believers attended the Arab festival, wearing provocative shirts and carrying a pig’s head on a stick.

The group claims it was peacefully delivering its message of Christianity when crowds began throwing bottles and stones at them.

Those who attended the festival say Muslims were provoked by the Christian group.

On behalf of the Bible Believers, the American Freedom Law Center filed a federal lawsuit in the Eastern District against the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department.

“It was an egregious violation of their rights,” said Robert Muise, senior counsel for the plaintiffs. “In particular, they have the right to freedom of speech. In our civilized society, Americans should be able to exercise their right to freedom of speech on a public sidewalk without being subjected to violence.”

The county, which has not yet been served with the lawsuit, declined to comment on pending litigation.