The City of Huntsville, Ala., discriminated against a Wiccan priest when it rescinded his invitation to deliver a prayer before a city council meeting, Americans United for Separation of Church and State says.
Blake Kirk had been scheduled to deliver an official invocation before the Huntsville City Council’s June 26 meeting, but his invitation was suddenly withdrawn just days before he was to speak. News reports said Kirk was uninvited due to community concerns about a Wiccan praying at the meeting.
“When the City of Huntsville denied a Wiccan the right to pray before an official meeting, it took a stand against certain religious viewpoints,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “That decision was plainly unconstitutional.”
AU sent a letter to city officials today, explaining that the U.S. Constitution does not permit local governing boards to bar anyone from giving a pre-meeting prayer on the basis of religion. Nor may anyone be barred from speaking because of the prejudices of the members of that community.
Americans United Warns Alabama City Not To Discriminate Against Religious Minorities At Local Board Meetings | Americans United
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