Sydney Grossman/Roundup
A Van Nuys man was detained after speaking loudly about Jesus in a non-designated free speech zone today at Pierce College, Sheriff’s Team Leader Ron Nohles said.
An anonymous staff member said the unidentified man was harassing students around noon in front of the Freudian Sip and was concerned that he may be armed.
“He was being loud and he had his hand in his pocket so they thought he had a weapon so they put him in the car,” said Diego Leybes, 24, a Pierce College student.
There was no arrest, but Nohles chose to take him behind the Sheriff Station to create less of a disturbance.
“He was just talking,” Nohles said. “He is not a student and he didn’t have a permit.”
Sheriff’s escorted him to a nearby bus station so he could go back to Van Nuys.
The permit can be obtained from the Academic Affairs and has the regulations written on the paper, which include specific times the speaker can talk.
“[The designated area] is accessible to students since they can travel by there,” said Nohles. “Most people comply and go to the area.”
The elected free speech area is currently near the marquee in front of the cafeteria but is under consderation to be moved to a new location due to current construction, according to Nohles.
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Religious zealot sits in the back of a Pierce College Sheriff’s squad car, waiting to be escorted to the bus station on Winnketa Ave. and Victory Blvd. (Brit Sharon/Roundup)
