Jess Hardiman
A man wearing a religious t-shirt was ordered to leave a shopping mall in the United States if he was not willing to remove the item of clothing.
The unnamed man was wearing a bright yellow t-shirt that said ‘JESUS SAVES’ when he was approached by two security guards at the Mall of America in Minnesota.
The back of the top also said: “Jesus Chris is the only way.”
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The footage, filmed on 7 January, shows one of the security workers telling the shopper: “If you want to shop here you need to take off that shirt.”
The same guard also later said: “Jesus is associated with religion and it is offending people. People have been offended.”
Originally shared by a Facebook user called Kameko Rawls, the clip went viral after being reposted on Twitter by John Mason (@LivingGodsTruth), who wrote: “I automatically assumed this was overseas, but it's right here in America.”
Rawls had also said: "Over his shirt," adding a face palm emoji.
The security guard had claimed the man was engaging in ‘religious soliciting’, which is forbidden by the Mall – along with ‘inappropriate attire’ including clothing that bears ‘obscene language, obscene gestures or racial/religious/ethnic slurs that are likely to create a disturbance’, and ‘picketing, demonstrating, soliciting, protesting or petitioning’.
Throughout the video, the man says he was not trying to preach, having just been wearing the top while out shopping.
However, the Mall of America said he had been soliciting the week previously, but confirmed that, on this occasion, he was not made to leave the shopping centre - nor was he required to remove his top.
Despite the mall’s response, the footage was widely criticised online, with one person tweeting: “There is no way this should happen in USA. He has a free speech right to wear that shirt, and a freedom of religion right to practice his faith in public places. More people should wear Christian shirts to that mall.”
Pastor Chase Thompson also said: “He should sue them into oblivion. This wouldn’t have happened anywhere in the U.S. until very recently, and it certainly wouldn’t have happened if he’d had a pride shirt on and even 50 people complained.”
A group called Bloomington Patriots announced plans to hold a demonstration at the mall next month, calling on people to wear ‘Jesus shirts’ in protest.
A spokesperson for the Mall of America told the Daily Mail: “The guest referenced in the video was approached by Mall of America security on January 7, 2023.
“One week prior, he was issued a 24-hour trespass for soliciting guests.
“After a brief interaction, the guest was not required to change his shirt and was allowed to remain at the Mall.”
UNILAD has reached out to the Mall of America for further comment.