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The city of Wichita dismissed a criminal trespassing charge Friday against a Wichita pastor for his actions in a gay pride parade in June.
"We're glad that justice prevailed," pastor Mark Holick of Spirit One shortly after the decision in Wichita Municipal Court. "We thought it was pretty obvious from the beginning."
A call to the city was referred to City Attorney Gary Rebenstorf. He did not return the call Friday afternoon.
Holick said that he and 30 church members went to the Pride Parade and Festival in downtown Wichita to pass out fliers and "preach the gospel" related to their belief that homosexuality is a sin.
Wichita police had told the group to move across the street, away from the parade, Holick said.
Holick said the church members did, but said he stayed to question why they had to leave a public sidewalk.
At the June parade, Wichita police Sgt. Bret Stull said Holick was arrested after officers asked him to go across the street five times.
Holick was arrested on a charge of criminal trespassing, which carries a punishment of up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
Holick's church is under investigation by the IRS for a possible violation of its tax-exempt status.
The IRS contacted Spirit One in May and questioned Holick about his involvement in distributing voter guides and messages on the church's marquee critical of some candidates and their stances on abortion.
Under the federal tax code, churches and nonprofit groups are prohibited from certain political campaign activities, including endorsing candidates and contributing money during active elections. Groups that violate the ban risk losing their nonprofit status.
The IRS does not comment on specific cases. Holick said the investigation is ongoing.
He said the city case and the IRS case were examples of government overstepping its boundaries in the areas of religion and free speech.
Reach Joe Rodriguez at 316-268-6644 or jrodriguez@wichitaeagle.com.
