Ohio judge bans protest in front of Columbus church

COLUMBUS (AP) — An Ohio judge has ruled that members of a national conservative Christian group cannot protest in the land in front of one of Ohio’s largest churches.

Judge Charles Schneider of Franklin County Common Pleas Court today wrote that Minutemen United protesters were trespassing when they had their demonstrations in front of Vineyard Columbus.

The protesting group had argued that it was expressing its message within the public right of way. But Judge Schneider ruled that the public’s right of way ends at the edge of the road along the church, which has no curb or sidewalk.

Vineyard is an orthodox, evangelical church. Members of Minutemen United have said they’re targeting Vineyard because it’s been too passive when it comes to fighting “the culture war” against abortion, homosexuality and same-sex marriage.