Have you ever been unwelcome at a mall? A man in Minnesota recently was. And the reason may surprise you.
As seen in a viral video, a visitor at Bloomington’s famed Mall of America was wearing a T-shirt which alerted security. Ungregarious guards got intensely involved.
MallOfAmerica.com lays out the rules:
Conduct that is disorderly, disruptive or which interferes with or endangers business or guests is prohibited. Such conduct may include but is not limited to:
- Running, loud offensive language, spitting, throwing objects, fighting, obscene gestures, gang signs, skating, skateboarding or bicycling
- Intimidating behavior by groups or individuals
- Loitering, engaging in soliciting, blocking storefronts, hallways, skyways, fire exits or escalators, or walking in groups in such a way as to inconvenience others
- Picketing, demonstrating, soliciting, protesting or petitioning
And:
Appropriate attire, including shirts and shoes, must be worn. Inappropriate attire may include, but is not limited to:
- Apparel that has obscene language, obscene gestures or racial/religious/ethnic slurs that are likely to create a disturbance
- Clothing that deliberately obscures the face, such as hooded tops or masks
- Bulletproof vests or simulated bulletproof vests
On January 7th, a male mallgoer sported a shirt declaring “Jesus Saves.” The back stated, “Jesus Is the Only Way.”
Accosting officers were unimpressed; in the footage, one insists, “Jesus is associated with religion, and it’s offending people.”
Thou shalt not provoke:
“People have been offended. … [A]ll we’re asking you (to do) is to take your shirt off and you can go to Macy’s, or you can leave.”
The patron — who has identified himself on YouTube as Paul Shoro, from Ethiopia — responds, “I didn’t say anything, though. I didn’t speak.”
The guard stays on point:
“Again, I’m giving you a couple of options. You can take your shirt off and you can go to Macy’s, and you can do your shopping. Or you can leave the mall. … Those are your only options right now — unless you want to be placed (indecipherable)…”
The officer then shouts:
“If you want to shop here, you need to take that shirt off. … It is religious soliciting. There is no soliciting allowed on mall property, which is private property.”
Paul makes clear he’s been told to leave before; but that was under different circumstances:
“I am a citizen, and I know the Constitution. Last time I was here, they told me to leave for 24 hours. I did. … I was preaching the Gospel that day.”
“You’re still soliciting,” the guard says. “I’m walking,” Paul replies.
“Yes, you’re walking (while) wearing that shirt…and we’ve got guests come up [sic] saying that they’ve been offended by your shirt. … We’ve had guests come up and say [they’ve] been offended. … Take the shirt off, and you can go shopping. … Or I will be forced to (indecipherable)…”
A separate Facebook video shows three security guards present, one of whom is wearing a tactical vest and tactical pants.
A bystander is overheard saying, “Are they [messing] with him ’cause of his shirt? That’s a damn shame.”
Paul explains, “I came here to shop.”
Might there be a multitude of messages that may “offend” someone, over which security wouldn’t ask them to leave? That seems possible. And some might find it odd that “Jesus Saves” is banned from a place of commerce — an arena of exchange involving currency bearing “In God We Trust.”
Online, many were offended by the guards. A pastor named Chase Thompson wrote, “He should sue them into oblivion.” Additionally, a Facebook group has formed in support of Paul and religious liberty. A January 11th post by Bloomington Patriots announces the “Jesus Goes to the Mall” event:
“JESUS GOES TO THE MALL”
Saturday Feb 4th
1-4 P.M.
Meet on main floor, inside the mall, in front of L.L. Bean.Recently a young man had a JESUS ONLY shirt on at the MOA, and was asked by security there, to REMOVE HIS SHIRT!Please wear Jesus shirts.Some are getting shirts made that say:Front: JESUS GOES TO THE MALLBack: Jesus is the only way.We will be asking people if we can pray for them, and share Gospel.MOA Security: 952-883-8888
The mall may end up regretting its security force’s vigilance. Meanwhile, a Mall of America spokesperson has told the Daily Mail Paul was allowed to remain on the premises in his shirt.