Preacher Says CNN Security Assaulted Him

A pastor said a CNN security guard assaulted, falsely imprisoned, and harassed him all because of his religious expression.

Dick Christensen has filed a civil lawsuit against the guard, CNN, and Turner Broadcasting. Christensen said he believes the sidewalk is public property. If it is, Christensen said Turner Security shouldn't have slammed him to the ground and detained him for holding a religious banner there.

His video camera caught the incident on tape.

On video, you can hear the security guard ask Christensen, “You know where the property line begins?” Christensen responded, “I’ve been out here preaching.” The security guard then said, “I didn’t ask you what you were doing. What I’m asking is do you know where the property line begins?”

You don’t see Christensen on camera, but he recorded the encounter with CNN security guards who wanted him off the sidewalk outside of CNN Headquarters.

“I’m standing on public property right now,” said Christensen on the tape. “You think you are,” said the security guard.

Christensen was among a group spreading the gospel, holding religious banners and passing out Christian literature outside McCormick and Schmicks.

When Christensen kept insisting he was on public property, the security guard threatened to arrest him.

Then, it appears the security guard put Christensen on the ground. “What are you guys doing? What are you guys doing,” Christensen said on tape. “I’ve got men on me, on my legs, drilling a knee in my back.”

Christensen said the guards handcuffed him and held him in a CNN office for a couple hours before letting him go.

He has filed a civil lawsuit, accusing CNN, Turner Broadcasting, and Turner Security of false imprisonment, assault and battery, and violating his free speech and free exercise of religion.

“They don’t want this kind of speech out there on the sidewalk surrounding the CNN buildings,” said Christensen.

Christensen’s attorney said the sidewalk is not private.

“A public sidewalk is a public forum. That’s what it’s for,” said Christensen’s attorney, S. Fenn Little.

A CNN representative sent a statement to Channel 2 Action News that said, “We are aware of his complaints but do not agree with his version of events.”

“It’s my opinion that they are hostile to the Christian message,” said Christensen.

The incident took place during the SEC Championship game in December 2008.

Christensen wants a judge to stop CNN and others from detaining people who express their religion or speech on sidewalks.