The Rev Roland R Parsons has displayed his ‘Blood of Jesus’ banner at Speakers’ Corner (Hyde Park Corner), London, for 30 years. As he has also done for 30 years, Rev Parsons conducted the 11am annual 'Remembrance Sunday' service at Speakers’ Corner on Sunday 10 November 2019, within which he spoke of and celebrated the freedoms won for the people of Britain in two world wars. Rev Parsons had a notice on the front of his stand, ‘Remembering those who died for our freedom’.

The police then came against the preacher and removed his freedom to display his ‘Blood of Jesus Christ’ Bible text banner, which was fixed with rope to the side of his preaching stand. The police alleged that it was a crime to display these words.

Another Christian of Asian background was preaching on the preaching stand when the police arrived. That Christian had on a previous occasion been attacked violently from behind by a mob made up of people from a different religion. To attempt to protect him, a rope was tied from the front of the preaching stand to the railings to deter others from going behind him. The Metropolitan Police assumed that this 'health and safety rope' was being used to tie the banner to the park railings. Rev Parsons showed the police that his ‘Blood of Jesus’ banner was only attached to his preaching stand, which is his property.

Two witnesses, who helped put the banner up, then verified that his banner was not tied with rope to the park railings. Police Sergeant [collar number given], after stating it was Statute Law that the ‘Blood of Jesus’ banner must be removed, said, "I get that, the tying to the railing that's no problem at all, but it is the banner that is the issue." Police Constable [collar number given] added, "It's the banner attached to the stand which is the problem."

Courtesy of Rev R ParsonsRev Parsons, who ministered in the 1980s with the London-based Banner Carriers Association, protested, "My Lord Jesus Christ, whom I serve, told me to display the Bible worded banners at Speakers’ Corner in 1987. That's my freedom of expression as a Christian. I am not now going to be able to come to Speakers’ Corner. The banner is me and I am the banner." The sergeant said, "You have stalled us enough". So the preacher took his ‘Blood of Jesus’ banner down and left Speakers’ Corner at about 1pm.

Just before he left, he took a photo of two banners over four feet wide that had words claiming that sexual stimulation "is murder". Despite their standing in front of the police for a long time, the police took no action against them. This was a violation of my religion whilst favouring other opinions.

This press release was written by Rev Parsons. Please bear him and his wife up in prayer as they seek to process and respond to the weekend’s events.