When cross-country missionary Mike Stockwell came to share the gospel of Jesus Christ at Cal State Long Beach on Thursday, he did not expect to be abruptly interrupted and asked to move from his stoop by University Police.
Stockwell, a missionary from Long Island, N.Y., works with a Long Island-based congregation called Cross-Country Evangelists. As part of his occupation, he regularly travels across the United States, visiting festivals and college campuses to share the gospel of Christ.
During his last couple of days in California, Stockwell decided to make an impromptu visit to CSULB in hopes of spreading the message. However, he said he wasn’t prepared to handle opposition from University Police.
“We’re out here because we love our neighbor, we love our community and we want to tell people the ‘good news,'” Stockwell said.
According to police records, an anonymous call came in at 12:01 p.m. that an individual was causing a disturbance in the upper campus quad.
Three officers responded to the call and arrived on scene. They determined that Stockwell did not have the appropriate permission to be soliciting on campus, as outlined in Campus Regulations IX, Section C.
Stockwell was in violation of the university’s time, place and manner restrictions, as stated in Section C.
University Police advised Stockwell to discontinue and to seek the appropriate permission, according to Capt. Scott Brown.
“I have a problem with that because it feels like the university’s policies are trumping the constitution of free speech rights,” Stockwell said. “They can’t stop us because they don’t like our message, because then it’s not free speech.
“If people have to stop every time someone didn’t like what the other person was saying, then our speech would be regulated,” Stockwell continued.
Brown said that, if Stockwell had checked in and obtained proper authorization from Student Life and Development beforehand, the officers would have confirmed it and allowed him to continue.
“The university and University Police fully support the right of freedom of speech,” Brown said. “Individuals from off campus are required to adhere to the same regulations and processes any group on campus must follow.”
Stockwell said he wasn’t aware of the university’s policies, and finds them stifling in regards to freedom of speech.
“I think that people should come and talk to the college administration about why we cannot just speak anywhere on a campus,” Stockwell said. “I mean, if people are open-minded, they should listen to us.”
Before being broken up, Stockwell said the gathering was going great.
“People were listening, people were engaging us and that’s good,” he said. “That’s what we like.”
Stockwell said he wants people to hear the message and encourages people to speak up and take a stance, even if they don’t agree with his views.
“What we are saying is that we have the truth and we want everyone to know it, so even if you don’t believe we have the truth, you have that right as an American,” he said.
The missionary said he enjoys preaching at college campuses in particular, because he finds the age group to be the most receptive to new things.
“That’s when people are trying to find themselves right now and they don’t know what they want to do with their lives right now,” Stockwell said. “And the fact of the matter is, we need to know today, this very moment, if we’re right with God, because no one’s guaranteed tomorrow.”
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.
