Police shut down crucifixion reenactment
April 5, 2010 - 1:10PM/the AGE
This crucifixion reenactment made Geelong police cross. Photo: Supplied
Organisers of a graphic crucifixion reenactment in Victoria, which made children cry and was shut down by police, have vowed to tone down the event next year.
Children were sobbing in distress at the sight of a man covered in fake blood who appeared to be nailed to a cross in the middle of a Geelong shopping precinct on Saturday afternoon, local police say.
But Heaven on Earth pastor Sarah Kenneally, who helped organise the event, said she saw no distressed children and police compromised freedom of religion by shutting down the reenactment.
"When the police stopped it I looked behind me and there were about eight children ... watching it and none of them looked distressed," she told AAP today.
"I think it was pretty sad that a Christian group couldn't express what Easter was truly about for one hour - it wasn't like we were trying to take over the city or tell everyone they were going to hell."
A Geelong police spokesman said passersby were concerned about the reenactment in Malop Street, particularly by the man posing as Jesus covered in blood.
The reenactment was shut down for breaching the peace, he said.
"Kids were particularly upset and crying," the spokesman told AAP. ... <cont>
