What started as a small group gathered outside of Parks Library on Monday afternoon listening to a man in a neon green shirt speak about religion and today’s university dating culture, quickly turned into a heckle-fest.

“The guys who take you out on a date are not there for your mind,” said street preacher Matt Bourgault to a crowd of more than 50 people that was continuing to grow. 

When appealing to carnal natures didn’t get the crowd riled up, Bourgault switched to drugs and music. 

“Who likes sex, drugs, rock ‘n’ roll and getting wasted?” he yelled to a slew of cheers from the crowd. 

Joseph Wolter, freshman in mechanical engineering, watched the back and forth for about 15 minutes, chiming in himself here and there.

“I don’t know why the police won’t remove him,” Wolter said, adding that the preacher had made remarks that he and others who had gathered considered extremely sexist. 

Officer Derek Doebel of the ISU Police Department said that while the preacher’s opinions may not have been held in high favor by the crowd, he’d done nothing wrong up to that point.

“Somebody called because they felt his comments were degrading,” Doebel said. “However, he’s violated no laws.”

Zach Upah, freshman in engineering, listened to what was going on at the free speech zone for about 10 minutes. 

“I don’t think he understands what our generation is like,” Upah said. 

He could, however, understand how the preacher was able to speak.

“He has the right to do it,” Upah said.

As the crowd grew larger, the heckling grew louder, but Bourgault stayed his course.

Officer Dobel said that, in reality, if people hadn’t stopped to listen and speak back against the preacher then he probably would have left before the police were called.

Dobel said that the only way he could remove the preacher was if he targeted someone specific, which would be harassment. 

“I’m here to protect him from us,” Dobel said about the preacher in regard to the ISU community that gathered in front of the Hub.

The crowed continued to talk to Bourgault as he read loudly from his bible calling out the students for being “sinners.”