City Approves "Peaceful Protest," Upset It Was Christian Concert Event

West Palm Beach city officials are reminding residents that large gatherings of more than ten people are not allowed...that is unless it's deemed by the city to be a protest.

Mayor Keith James is upset about an event held at the Meyer Amphitheater on Sunday night.

Hundreds of people attended ‘Let Us Worship,’ organized by a traveling Christian musician. James saw videos of a concert, with people shoulder-to-shoulder, dancing and taking part in water baptisms.

Carlos Ascensio was there and says it was a great experience and just what the community needs.

"Taking into consideration what we're all going through and bringing people from different races and ethnicities together in unison. That's fantastic."

The city says the organizer initially described the religious gathering as a peaceful protest, which is allowed, but in a statement the city says it did not issue an "event permit and did not authorize the concert as an event."

The statement goes on to state: "The City is currently not approving events larger than 10 people for in the near future, except for events deemed essential services."

Mayor James addressed the issue at Monday night's city commission meeting.

"I'm sure you've all seen pictures...no social distancing, many people not wearing masks. It's not something we approve of."

A local pastor who helped put the event together says they were turned down by the city for permission to hold an event to worship Jesus, so they called it a "Worship Protest."

Code enforcement is gathering evidence with its legal department before making a decision on issuing fines.

Here is the full statement from the City of West Palm Beach:

“On Sunday, the City of West Palm Beach honored the public’s right to peacefully protest, as we have other demonstrations in our city. However, the City did not issue an event permit and did not authorize the concert as an event. The West Palm Beach Police Department was dispatched to monitor the gathering.

When learning of the gathering, initially described as a religious gathering and peaceful protest to police, the City Attorney reached out to the organizer to warn him of City ordinances governing events and advised him of the County’s facial covering mandate. The City is currently not approving events larger than 10 people for in the near future, except for events deemed essential services.

Of course, Mayor James is greatly concerned about the safety and wellbeing of all residents and visitors, including the participants of Sunday’s gathering. He reminds everyone to continue to practice social distancing, wash your hands, and follow the County’s facial covering directive to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Statement from Pastor Danny Espinosa:

"Myself, Randy Skinner and a few others put this event together with Sean Feucht just to worship Jesus. We asked the city for permission they turned it down so we called it a “Worship Protest” we called for Racial reconciliation, restoration of people and families during a time where more people have died to suicide then Covid, prayed for our police, mayor and local officials we did what God called us to do. There is so much more to it but here’s a brief overview. Media is gonna spin this however they want but our city needs Jesus. No this was not a political event."

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Photo: CBS 12


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