This was an incident that happened in July of 2008 to my partner Richard Latimer and myself.
Recently we were attacked out on the streets of San Francisco by a huge woman who was on drugs, mentally deranged, demon possessed, or all of the above. She threw Richard around like a rag doll as I preached. She wouldn't relent so we had to stop and deal with her. She was throwing all of our Bibles and tracts around. She emptied my bag which has stuff for the homeless, which includes first aid supplies. At one point she tried choking me with some gauze that she grabbed and made into a lethal weapon. I thought of scenes from the movie, "The Godfather" where a guy was strangled with a piano wire. She came up from behind me and put it over my head and around my neck. I had two fingers between the gauze and my neck that kept it from choking me. I tried to keep preaching and smiling until I felt like I had better take this more seriously and get loose. I ducked under the gauze as I pushed her back at the same time. Pam, (her name) then became really hostile and started slugging me. This sort of thing has happened in the past, although it is not a regular occurrence. At this point in time another guy came and started accusing us saying why do we come out and preach and not bring food for the homeless. I couldn't believe this as I was looking at all the stuff we did bring strung up and down the block. Uhm... I got this fabulous idea, let's call this a day and grab everything and leave. As it was evident that we were going to get out of there, many people came up and said, "No, please stay, don't let the devil run you off". One of the men said, "Look they got her in cuffs". I looked up and saw three police cars around where we were at and they did have her in handcuffs. In the heat of the moment I didn't see them arrive. I don't know who called them, but glad it was over. Of course she said that I hit her. Well, at the end of the day we were the ones who walked away. I lost my favorite hat that day, but decided it was better than losing my head.
In situations like this our policy is not to hit back or get aggressive in any way. When that is accomplished it really gives a good witness to the onlookers. Every so often I have to grab someone by the coat or shirt and gently move them away from whomever they are attacking. Usually verbal defense is enough. I wish you could all come with us and see this in action. You really are living the scriptures about turning the other cheek. There is wisdom in what and what not to do. Very practical experience, otherwise it is just theory. Oh yea, you may be asking what set her off. As I examine this before the Lord I must say it was really just the Gospel. Charles Spurgeon once said, "The Gospel is offensive enough, don't add to it". This is a quote we try to live by every time we go out.