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Christian street preacher and abolitionist Norman Harold Patterson Jr. was arrested on March 4, 2025, at the Connecticut State Capitol for disorderly conduct after he entered a rally taking place on Capitol grounds.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong had been speaking on the bullhorn in the center of the "50501: The People's Movement" rally, part of a coordinated series of anti-Trump events around the country, all leading up to a nationwide event on April 5th.
While Tong was speaking, Patterson entered the Capitol grounds, turned on his camera, and started to film himself as he approached the circle where Tong was speaking.
Patterson, who leads The 100th Sheep Ministries and serves as Director of the Connecticut Foundation to Abolish Abortion, made his way to the inner circle, peacefully preaching the Gospel and calling for the abolition of abortion. He was holding a sign that read: “Abortion is Murder, Forgiveness Can Be Found in Christ Alone.” The sign also included an image of an aborted child and the biblical principle of treating others as we would want to be treated.
As soon as he started preaching, a woman carrying an "Impeach Trump" sign moved in front of him, blocking Patterson. Then others moved in surrounding him, and attempting to drown out his message. One woman even yelled, "get out of here. This is not yours. This is not your country. F*ck you!"
"As soon as I began to speak, I was immediately surrounded by a hostile crowd, many of whom shoved, pushed, and attempted to physically remove me," said Patterson in a statement to the Centinal. "Sergeant Barter of the Connecticut State Capitol Police then approached but, instead of dispersing the aggressive crowd, he began pushing me backward himself. Despite my repeated assertions of my constitutional right to free speech, he continued to shove me. When I resisted being unlawfully forced back, I ultimately fell backward due to his pressure."
After Patterson fell down, he grabbed his camera and stood back up to an angry, screaming crowd.
That's when Sergeant Barter informed him, "you're coming with me now." Patterson asked "why" to which the Sergeant responded "you know why" as he directed Patterson away from the rally.
Patterson alleged the Sergeant had impeded his right to free speech by removing him from the rally.
"Here's the problem though, alright. They have the grounds for the day," said Sergeant Barter, adding it was the Attorney General who said they had the grounds.
The Sergeant went on to explain that Patterson could come in and protest, but that he did not have the right to "disrupt" the event, nor did he have the right to enter Tong's rally.
Sergeant Barter later added that he would not go back to retrieve Patterson's stolen sign.
Patterson and Sergeant Barter's conversation continued, focusing on freedom of speech. Sergeant Barter made it clear he felt Patterson didn't have the freedom of speech to disrupt the Attorney General's rally. After continuing to disagree, Sergeant Barter directed State Police Officer Giansanti to get his summons book.
Then Patterson said he was going to return to the rally and exercise his freedom of speech.
At that point Sergeant Barter indicated Patterson was under "custodial detainment" and could not proceed. He said that Patterson had crossed a line and argued that he came with the intent to disturb the peace. While under "custodial detainment" Patterson was prevented from saying anything else to the ralleygoers.
Officer Giansanti explained to Patterson that they were getting him out of the protest for "his" safety.
Sergeant Barter returned with the summons, indicating Patterson would be due to appear in court on April 12 for the charge of disorderly conduct.
"Rather than arresting those physically assaulting and harassing me, Sergeant Barter chose to arrest me for Disorderly Conduct (CT Gen. Stat. §53a-182)," explained a frustrated Patterson. "This charge was entirely unfounded, as I was peacefully exercising free speech in a traditional public forum—a right upheld by numerous Supreme Court decisions."
"As a condition of release, Sergeant Barter unilaterally banned me from returning to the Capitol and the Legislative Office Building (LOB) until after my arraignment on March 12, 2025—without judicial review," said Patterson. "This restriction effectively silences my advocacy work at a critical time when H.B. 7022, a bill expanding Medicaid (HUSKY) coverage for IVF treatments that destroy human embryos, is being debated."
"When I visited the Hartford Superior Court on March 5, 2025, to file a Motion to Modify Conditions of Release, I was told my case had not even been entered into the system yet because the State Police failed to file my arrest," said Patterson. "This bureaucratic delay prevents me from filing my motion, further prolonging the violation of my constitutional rights."
Patterson believes that surveillance footage of the incident will reveal that he was the one being harassed, not the other way around.
"It was unconscionable what they did," said Patterson who since filed a grievance with the Attorney General's office against Sergeant Barter. Tong's office responded, saying it would investigate.
Patterson said this case is not just about him, but rather "it is about the broader erosion of First Amendment rights and government suppression of political and religious speech."
"While activists for abortion and reproductive policies can freely testify, lobby, and protest, I have been silenced, criminalized, and physically removed for advocating on behalf of the unborn," laments Patterson.
You can watch Patterson's video of the encounter below.
Although I support (to some extent) his cause, it's clear to even the most casual observer that he intended to disrupt the rally. Ridiculous and contemptible for him to pretend otherwise.
Guilty as charged. Fine him.
Look at the videos Patterson has posted on you tube. He calls people murdersers in front of planned parenthood hood buildings. He shouts and calls people names if they disagree with him. In one video he called someone stupid. He doesn’t go to preach in a kind way. He takes the approach that he is always right and knows what’s best for others. He antagonized one man to the point he was punched. He has written letters/ post about various politicians including Tong who don’t share extreme views .
But Petronella, Planned Parenthood does in fact murder babies using one of the same drugs used for executing inmates on death row.
Sorry if you feel that telling the truth about that isn't kind!
Tong has the most extreme views of all -- he thinks biological men should be able to dominate women's sports. He doesn't care about protecting women at all! He also wants to keep letting unethical doctors trans kids, a gruesome horror that one day people will look back upon in disgust
Let’s stick to the topic. We are talking about the street preacher’s behaviors . Not what the AG believes or what medications are used at planned parenthood. The fact that this street preacher chooses to call people murderers and antagonizes people. People go into planned parenthood for other reasons too. Not just for abortions. It’s not acceptable to call people murderers out in public. Especially when he doesn’t know the reason the people are going into planned parenthood.
What Norm, Tong, you, or I believe or prefer is irrelevant and can often be dangerous in an eternal sense. What God says to us is crucial. "You shall not murder" has no age or physical address qualifiers attached. Love is telling the truth about both God's law and the sweetness of redemption in Christ alone. Eternity is a lonnnngggg time.
I know Norm. A kinder man would be hard to find. Any offense you attribute to him arises from your worldview, not his speech or tactics. Truth can offend. It got Jesus killed by those who found Him offensive. He loved His beloved anyway, and took the wrath we who receive Him deserve onto Himself, giving us His righteous standing in judgment.
That is why Norm is a street preacher. Saved by grace, He takes serioysly Jesus' command to go out and bring His lost sheep into the sheepfold.
BTW, if not murderers, what would you call people who kill other people? And where is it "acceptable" to tell people about who we are, who God is, and what He has done for us? The Apostles did this in the public square. Are we different?
You are also switching the topic. The topic is about the street preachers behaviors. Not God, not religious views etc. Many know him. Your opinion is formed on your interactions and what he wants you to see. Others perhaps have different views. Again it’s not appropriate to call people murders without knowing their story. What happened to being innocent until proven guilty? Going into a rally and challenging and shouting at people is not acceptable behavior. It’s deliberately antagonistic.
Going into a LGBTQ Gay Pride event and shouting at people who don’t share your views is also antagonizing others. Instigating verbal fights, shouting and aggressive posturing are not acceptable. Behaving inappropriately in public can lead to arrest. Our law enforcement officers are here to keep the peace and protect citizens. If one breaks the law one should expect to be arrested. We all have access to the first amendment but we need to be mindful of our behaviors.
It would be like somebody going out in public and shouting loudly for everybody to hear that that a specific person was a serial adulterer, fornicator , a moral or worse. It’s not acceptable. The person shouting could expect to be arrested. Behaviors that are deliberately inciting violence should not be tolerated.
He speaks and his speech is protected by law.
Counterprotesters also have free speech rights. Police must treat protesters and counterprotesters equally. Police are permitted to keep antagonistic groups separated but should allow them to be within sight and sound of one another.
The police broke the law. He had every right to speak as did the others.