Arrest of Evangelist Protested by Pickets
source unknown, a California newspaper
January 7, 1969, North America
Five persons protesting the arrest of two self-styled evangelists picketed the Public Safety Building for about an hour and a half Sunday, changing “Jesus Christ Saves.”
The pickets—all were young persons—were demanding the release from jail of Arnold Theodore Dietrich, 27, and Robert Francis McDonald, 21, who were arrested on disturbing the peace charges at Sears, Roebuck & Co. store, 450 Long Beach Blvd., Saturday night.
Police said the pair were in custody in lieu of $125 bail each after “telling the people about Jesus” by shouting “Jesus Christ saves” and “You’re all going to hell” at department store customers and [employees].
The incident began when 12 persons from the religious group entered the store. They were asked to leave after customers began complaining.
The group left, but Dietrich, who told officers he was on leave from the Ft. Dix, N.J., Army base, and McDonald, who gave his address as 116 Main St. Huntington Beach, returned a short time later.
Police said the two stood in a doorway at the store’s Fifth Street entrance, shouting their evangelistic chants and warnings.
Customers again complained and store officials called police, who arrested Dietrich and McDonald.