Dia has engaged in occasional street evangelism since 2019. The Bristol-based pastor had initially reached out to the Avon & Sommerset Police Force after being the victim of several incidents of racial abuse, at the advice of Bristol-based charity Stand Against Racism and Inequality. Officers began to regularly attend Dia’s public preaching in order to protect both the pastor and his congregation. 

In October 2021, Dia arranged a meeting with the local police force in order to maintain good working relations. However, at this meeting, he was served with a warning notice, which he refused to sign. The notice forbade Dia from, inter alia, “passing comments on any other religion or comparing them to Christianity” and “passing comments on beliefs held by Atheists or those who believe in evolution”. 

In addition to forbidding criticism of religions other than Christianity, the warning notice further encroached on Dia’s right to freedom of expression by banning him from “delivering a sermon or religious address at a time or place that has not had prior consent and approval of Avon & Somerset Constabulary.” 

Double standard in British policing 

“Dia Moodley’s case exposes a clear double standard in British policing when the issue concerns the expression of core beliefs; particularly Christian beliefs. Bristol authorities unabashedly requested prior review of Dia’s sermons and banned him from speaking about any other religion – including atheism. This blatantly restricted his freedom of religion and speech in an attempt to redefine established British values in accordance with their own ideals,” said Jeremiah Igunnubole, Legal Counsel for ADF UK.  

Backed by ADF International and the Free Speech Union, who instructed solicitors from Ai Law, Dia successfully challenged the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police for discrimination on religious grounds and for breaching his ECHR rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; freedom of expression; and freedom of assembly and association. Avon & Somerset Police Force finally conceded their restrictions on free speech were “disproportionate” in February 2024. 

Assaulted and arrested  

Dia’s troubles did not end there. In March 2024, he was arrested after commenting on Islam and affirming that sex is binary while street preaching outside Bristol University.   

In response to a question from a Muslim man, Dia had stated his belief that there are differences between the moral standards of the God of Islam and the Christian God. He also expressed his view that God created human beings male and female and said this truth should not be denied. 

Later on, an unknown person pushed him from his short stepladder, and another snatched a sign from his hand, causing him a severe soft tissue injury. Three young people then trampled on his sign and refused to return it when asked. Shortly after this incident, police arrived and arrested Dia for the views he had shared, despite the fact that he had been a victim of assault and criminal damage. 

Avon and Somerset Police arrested Dia on suspicion of committing “racially or religiously aggravated harassment without violence” under Section 31(1)(c) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986.  

Police apology

The investigation into Dia was dropped after legal representations were made to the police with the support of ADF UK. Dia is also pursuing a complaint against the police for his treatment by them, including for the destruction of his four signs, one of which included Bible text, under their instruction after his arrest. 

Avon and Somerset Police has already apologised to Dia for instructing staff at Bristol University to dispose of the signs. 

“Thankfully, with support from ADF UK and the Free Speech Union, I have received some measure of justice after having been wrongfully silenced by authorities. But this creeping culture of censorship is detrimental to all of us in society, whatever we believe, and we must challenge it wherever we see it,” commented Dia.