In May 2009, Parker began sharing the Gospel from a public sidewalk outside Edison High School after students were dismissed for the day, at which time the principal told him to leave. Parker explained that the First Amendment protected his free speech and free exercise of religion rights, but the principal took no heed and called police.The police instructed students not to go near Parker, and the principal insisted that he be arrested. While speaking with officers, Parker’s toe brushed against the grass along the school side of the sidewalk. The officers arrested him and issued him a summons for “defiant trespassing.” The events leading to the arrest were recorded on video.