 "Photo: photo by Brandon Cloud, staff photographer")
Updated 7:46 p.m., Oct. 27
An afternoon of street preaching on the Keathley University Center Knoll led to the arrest of a student after a preacher fell off a concrete wall to the sidewalk, said Lieutenant Jim Fanguy of the MTSU Police Department.
MTSU police arrested Michaela Morales, a junior social work major, on suspicion of assault after preacher John McGlone fell Tuesday. Morales was taken to the Rutherford County Sherriff’s Office for processing.
“Based on witnesses and cell phone video of which we were made aware, we felt we had probable cause for the arrest,” Fanguy said.
Fanguy said Morales apparently pushed McGlone from the ledge where he talked to a crowd of about 200 around 2:45 p.m.
Students, including Morales, began crowding the ledge on which McGlone was standing. After Morales shouted, “Take your hands off my breasts,” McGlone fell to the ground.
Eyewitness accounts vary from Morales defending herself to McGlone being forcibly pushed by Morales from the crowded ledge, which was congested by protesters shouting at McGlone.
The official police report has yet to be released.
Bond for Morales was set at $2,500. Morales posted later that night.
At approximately 11 a.m., three men began preaching to students and passers-by, wearing shirts that read “Trust Jesus,” and “Jesus hates sin.” The men repeatedly told several members of the crowd that they were going to hell - specifically homosexuals, fornicators, God-haters, immodest women, drunks and the greedy.
Students began protesting the speakers and shouting down the men, eventually leading to the altercation at approximately 2:45 p.m. between McGlone and Morales.
McGlone fell from the cement outcropping after a brief struggle with Morales, at which point some students helped the man while others laughed. Shortly thereafter, several squad cars pulled up and officers dispersed the crowd.
McGlone lay on the sidewalk for a few moments, and soon after, medical units responded and assessed his injuries.
“I forgive her,” McGlone said as he walked away from the scene with police.
Immediately after the incident, Morales said, “Carry me,” to Officer Derrick Wharton, though she wouldn’t follow him for questioning initially. Officer Misty White led Morales to a squad car. Police spoke with Morales, frisked her and took her to the police station for further questioning.
McGlone and Kerrigan Skelly are members of PinPoint Evangelism, an organization based in central Kentucky. The third preacher present, Tracy Bays, is not a member of PinPoint Evangelism, but does accompany McGlone and Skelly to campuses.
All of the men had a permit for five hours of time at the Knoll, but students began yelling at the men soon after they began speaking to the crowds. The three men left before their time had expired.
75 comments
Yes, Jesus is the answer...you did actually say something right, but their protests are not the way to spread his word. Not by casting stones at others and claim they the way they live is perfect and pure. Nobody in the world, who claims to be a true Christian can make that claim because they know that only 1 person has ever lead a sin free life.
These extreme protestors appear on college campuses daily, telling students that they will go to hell for watching sports or drinking a beer. I know this for a fact; I have witnessed them on other college campuses. As for being ashamed of how people treat others on college campuses - this same situation would happen if they protested on 2nd and Broadway in downtown Nashville...In fact, it may have been worse.
agreed Brandon, it is freedom of speech, however it was not one speech we were all to happy to hear
I heard people cheer me on and clap for saying
"This is not the way to spread the love, and we are all sinners and God loves everyone, including the gays." That got a loud cheer.
I hope these men open their eyes and see what was wrong with the picture.
it did not bring me joy to see a man being pushed out of violent and people cheering. There was no justice, even with such a judging message he preached