He's something of a celebrity in Philadelphia's iconic LOVE Park - the Pennsylvanian capital's answer to Times Square's Naked Cowboy, or so they say. But the city's much-loved 'Philly Jesus' - a daily fixture famous for his attempts to walk on water in the park's fountains and even baptize people - was arrested on Friday for disorderly conduct and failure to disperse, sparking outrage among his many admirers. The man behind the Holy robe is Michael Grant, a recovering drug addict and panhandler who has been clean for one year, crediting his sobriety to finding Jesus Christ. However Grant claims the cop that arrested him recognized Grant from his 'drug days' and the long list of charges associated with them, including loitering, possession of marijuana, and theft of services, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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Street performer Michael Grant - AKA Philly Jesus - was arrested Friday in Philadelphia's LOVE Park
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He was charged with disorderly conduct and failure to disperse after refusing a cop's order to leave the park
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Grant says he had every right to stay in the park and does not solicit money
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Hundreds of online supports have started a #FreePhillyJesus to have Grant's charges dropped
'Walking on water': The obvious tourist attractive can often be found swirling around in the @placeholder fountains and has even baptized people in the water