Arraignment postponed for 2 arrested for public Bible reading without a permit

Arraignment was postponed Friday for two Hemet men charged with misdemeanor counts of conducting a protest on state grounds without a permit. The charges stem from a public Bible reading they staged outside a Department of Motor Vehicles office last year.

At the time of the arrest, Brett Coronado was assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel in Hemet; Mark Mackey worked in the church's evangelical ministries. As about 60 people waited in line for the DMV office to open, Mackey announced he was going to start reading scripture.

A supporter videoed what happened next.

“Good morning everyone, I’d like to read a little bit from the word of God while we’re waiting for the DMV to open. Romans chapter 1, verse 18..."

Within seconds, a security officer asks Mackey to stop. He doesn’t.

“Sir, sir, sir — you need to go someplace else," the security guard told Mackey.

"Sir, I’m going to keep reading; you do what you need to do," Mackey responded.

Shortly after, a California Highway Patrol officer intervenes.

Mackey read, “And when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be--"

"Why don’t you give him the book, you’re under arrest," the officer told Mackey.

Authorities say the men acted aggressively and in a way that was disruptive to the business of the DMV.

Attorneys for the men claim the charges are “unconstitutional and overbroad.” They claim the Bible reading was not a demonstration.

Mackey and Coronado sued the CHP and the arresting officer. The men claim they were prohibited from exercising their right to free speech and were falsely imprisoned. The lawsuit is on hold until the criminal case is resolved.

Mackey and Coronado are expected to enter a plea next month. If convicted, the men could face probation or up to a year in jail.