DETROIT — On Wednesday, Aug. 27 an appeals court dismissed a lawsuit that alleged the First Amendment rights of Americans were violated at the Dearborn Arab International Festival.

The court ruled police did not violate First Amendment rights when they threatened to ticket members of a group called Bible Believers at the festival in 2012.

That year members of the evangelist group attended the festival carrying a pig’s head shouting at Muslims telling them they were “sick” and would “burn in hell” because of their religion.

Officials say they were concerned about tensions rising and threatened to ticket the evangelists unless they left.  Protestors threw water bottles and rocks at Bible Believer members.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court said a video released from the festival demonstrates that the speech and conduct of group members was intended to incite the crowd and create a violent situation.

The court added that such conduct protected by the First Amendment is subject to regulation for the protection of society.