Christian Preacher Harassing Woman on USF Campus

by Michael Hussey

The University of South Florida newspaper The Oracle has a disturbing story of a 22 year-old female student harassed by evangelist John M. Kranert. The young woman was sitting outside of Cooper Hall. She told reporter Victoria Bekiempis she was waiting for her next class and not interacting with Kranert. What happened next is bizarre.

The student said she was waiting for class, sitting on a bench near the Subway outside of Cooper Hall, when evangelist John M. Kranert charged at her with his fist up, running until he stopped inches from her face, before he stuck his finger out and called her a whore.

"I remember this, when he was telling me, that I was fully covered," she said.

That day, she was wearing a gray sweater, long pants, a button-down shirt - not a tank top - and flip-flops.

How Kranert was able to form an opinion on the woman's character based on her wardrobe is a task best left to shrinks, not that a wardrobe is an indicator of one's sexual history in any event.

I'm glad that the young lady told Kranert that he's "sick" and "domineering." Women should stand up to this kind of bullying. Cowering only empowers bullies. I'm not encourage women to put themselves in dangerous situations, just that they don't need to take shit.

Kranert should be aware that college campuses take harassment very seriously.

"He is just a baby step away from sexual harassment," said the student. "I don't understand how he isn't sexually harassing students on campus." The student has filed charges and is remaining anonymous.

He has harassed the woman on other occasions. He told her, "I can tell you've been with every man on campus by the way you stand." Kranert also mocked her skin complexion and called her a "prostitute." Apparently, being sexist wasn't enough. He had to make racist remarks. One more phobic form of behavior and he can win the Jerry Falwell Triple Crown.

Kranert's wife Evangelina may face possible assault charges.

The student, who has not filed a complaint against Kranert's wife, Evangelina, said that the preacher's wife also approached her and pointed her fingers close to the student's face, so closely that Evangelina even touched her at several junctures.

The student has filed charges and is remaining anonymous. She has witnesses to back up her account of the events.

Campus police have received other complaints about Kranert.

University Police initially confronted Kranert and other evangelists Wednesday, Oct. 31, about possible disorderly conduct, responding to callers who complained that their preaching could be heard in Cooper Hall classrooms and offices and was disrupting lessons and work. There was also a question of whether the evangelists were improperly and illegally blocking sidewalks outside of Cooper. No arrests were made.

The question is why hasn't USF trespassed Kranert and his followers. I'm familiar with Cooper Hall. If his preaching is load enough to disturb classes then the noise level must be deafening outside. Interfering with classes is enough to cite Kranert for trespassing. There is no reason to let Kranert back on campus. USF must be scared of a potential lawsuit. The college already is being accused of not having enough security. They need to prove they will protect students by getting rid of Kranert.

(Cross-posted from Pushing Rope.)