The suit, filed Monday, accuses the city and its officials of launching a harassment campaign against Dad's Place, a church in Bryan, for keeping its doors open 24/7 for the homeless.

The suit, filed Monday, accuses the city and its officials of launching a harassment campaign against Dad’s Place, a church in Bryan, for keeping its doors open 24/7 for the homeless.

An Ohio pastor who was charged with zoning violations for housing people experiencing homelessness has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Bryan and its officials.

Earlier this year, Pastor Chris Avell decided to keep the doors of his church, Dad’s Place, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to reach out to the city’s most “vulnerable.” Bryan is a small city of about 8,600 people, 65 miles west of Toledo.

In December, Avell was hit with 18 zoning violations by the city, which claimed he had violated a city ordinance that says residents can’t stay on the first floor of that property. Further, the local fire chief found a slew of fire code violations at the church.

Avell pleaded not guilty to the charges at his Jan. 11 arraignment, according to online court records.

Now he’s suing the city, claiming discrimination on the basis of religion and claiming city officials have launched a harassment campaign against the church.

    • Pirky@lemmy.world
      20·
      11 months ago

      We’re also really tired from our demanding jobs. Most of us also can’t just suddenly take time off work to protest these things.
      Plus it’s effort driving from our homes to wherever the protests may be. I’m being partially facetious here, but these all play a factor in this.