A special police constable disrupted a street worshiper and claimed that singing gospel songs “outside of church grounds” was not allowed.
Harmonie London filmed and posted an apparent altercation between herself and Maya Hadzhipetkova, Metropolitan Police special constable – a volunteer role.
Ms London regularly performs worship music on Oxford Street in central London.
The altercation
In the clip posted to Harmonie’s Instagram page, special officer Maya Hadzhipetkova said: ‘No, miss, you’re not allowed to sing church songs outside of church grounds, by the way’.
Ms London responds: ‘You are, you are, you are, but the officer insists that she cannot sing “outside of church grounds” unless you have been authorised by the Church to do these kind of songs’.
Ms London replies: ‘That’s a load of rubbish, you’re allowed’.
The officer then walks away, while another adds: ‘She’s not saying anything any more, thank you for your time.’
The singer continues: ‘Are you saying that you don’t care about the Human Rights Act?’
As the altercation went on, the officer stuck her tongue out at Harmonie as she filmed.
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When will this harassment end?
In recent times, Christians in the UK have encountered persistent harassment while preaching or singing praises to the Lord on the streets.
The incident highlighted above sheds light on the concerning behaviour of the police officer who, instead of protecting lives and properties, chose to mock the gospel by attempting to disrupt a singer’s performance.
This raises concerns about the extent to which Christians may be restricted from practicing their faith in public spaces by police officers with inadequate training in the exercise of basic freedoms.
The Bible says
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Met Police apologises
The Metropolitan Police have apologised for special constable Maya Hadzhipetkova’s behaviour.
According to the force, Ms Hadzhipetkova should not have told Harmonie London to ‘stop performing church songs outside church grounds’. So why did she?
Met police said: ‘The officer was mistaken in saying church songs cannot be sung outside of church grounds.
‘We’re sorry for the offence caused and will take the learning forward,’ they added.
However, was this absurd altercation stemming from such a ridiculous starting position the result of inadequate training? Alternatively, did the officer receive full training in human rights and ignore it?
On the face of it, for any individual to tell another in a London street that they are not allowed to sing worship songs outside a church unless they have the permission of said church betrays a stunning ignorance of Christian freedom, or any basic kind of freedom in a normal society anywhere on earth.
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Read our related articles here:
Police Told: Let Preachers Preach →
Bristol preachers acquitted on appeal →
Magistrate who convicted preachers is Freemason →
Street preacher convicted – and now acquitted! →
Read and pray
READ: Deut 7:6-7 Isa 41:10; Prov 11:30; Matt 9:36–38; Rom 10:14–15; 2 Cor 5:20; 2 Tim 3:12; Gal 6:14.
PRAY: for Christians across the UK upholding the faith.
Pray for those prosecuted
Pray for street preachers and Christian Artists
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