David Hoffman Sues Tucson Over 2025 Winterhaven Religious Speech Ban

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 18

A federal complaint filed this week says Tucson police threatened David Hoffman with criminal trespass and escorted him from the December 2025 Winterhaven Festival after he tried to discuss Jesus with attendees.
The suit challenges a city event policy that barred "religious, political, or issue-based" leafleting and what officers called "sermonizing," while directing Hoffman to a designated free-expression zone outside the festival perimeter.
First Liberty argues the restrictions were unconstitutional because the festival took place on city streets and sidewalks, where speech protections are strongest, and because vendors, performers and pedal pubs were allowed inside.
The complaint seeks emergency and permanent court orders letting Hoffman evangelize at this year's event, plus a declaration that the policy violates the First Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment and the Arizona Constitution.
Tucson declined to comment on the pending litigation, and the lawsuit also names two Tucson police officers in their individual capacities.