(AP) -- A federal judge is considering the case of two street preachers challenging a South Carolina city law.

The Greenville News reported lawyers for the preachers and the city of Greenville clashed Tuesday on whether the ordinance violates the First Amendment.

Joshua Glidewell and Joseph Bane want the judge to block Greenville from enforcing an ordinance that prohibits statements that people find humiliating, offensive, scary or obscene.

Police arrested the men in 2007 and accused them of shouting at a lesbian couple. Bane was convicted but Glidewell was cleared.

Their lawyer, Rick Nelson, says police can use the ordinance to threaten people, restricting their free speech rights.

City attorney Ron McKinney says the city wants to protect people from harassment.

Information from: The Greenville News, http://www.greenvillenews.com 

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