‘Black mass’ protester says her lawsuit against OKC is about sending message
Charged with two offenses
A New Jersey woman arrested during a 2014 protest of a satanic “black mass” has sued Oklahoma City and police a month after her municipal convictions were thrown out.
Joan Bell, a longtime activist who said she has been arrested hundreds of times, claims her civil rights were violated when she was wrongfully arrested.
Bell, 68, was arrested during the protest after she refused to cease kneeling while saying the rosary on a landing at the top of the north steps of the Civic Center Music Hall. She said she attended the Sept. 21, 2014, protest of the black mass, a parody of the Catholic Mass, to pray against the “hate crime” occurring inside the Civic Center.
“I never sue because, as a Christian ... I believe you should just forgive,” Bell said by phone Monday.
Bell said she is suing in this case in hopes Oklahoma City will think twice about cooperating with a hate crime. The lawsuit was filed in Oklahoma City federal court Sept. 19.
“I don’t see this as vindictive,” Bell said. “I believe God himself was deeply offended.”
She said it isn’t about the money, but sending a message.
“I want them held accountable so they don’t do this again and that maybe they’ll decide it’s not worth supporting this hate crime against any religion,” Bell said.
Monday, an Oklahoma City spokesperson said the city does not comment on pending litigation.
Bell initially was charged with two municipal offenses — trespassing on private property and interference with official process.
At a nonjury trial, Bell was found guilty in May 2015 of amended municipal counts, disorderly conduct, and interfering or obstructing by disobeying a lawful command. Bell was fined $500 for each count.
In August, the state’s Court of Criminal Appeals reversed the convictions due to insufficient evidence.
A person is guilty of disorderly conduct if that person intentionally inhibits access to an entrance to a public building. The appeals court found that Bell knelt near an exit with no outer handle, so Bell didn’t obstruct access to the Civic Center during the event.
The appeals court also found that because Bell was on public property and not trespassing, the order to leave given by police was not lawful. Because of this, Bell wasn’t disobeying a lawful command when she resisted officers by not standing and going “limp” when arrested.
The Civic Center’s performing arts manager, two Oklahoma City police lieutenants and three police officers also are sued in the lawsuit. Bell said she would settle the lawsuit if Oklahoma City agreed to never cooperate with another hate crime against the Catholic Church or any religion.
The lawsuit didn’t specify how much Bell is seeking in damages. Bell is represented by Brenda Barnes, an attorney with the Legal Clinic at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Bell said she is being represented for free.
Bell attended the most recent black mass protest Aug. 15 in Oklahoma City. She currently lives in Plainfield, N.J., with her husband and children.