UPDATE::Americans United Warns Alabama City Not To Discriminate Against Religious Minorities At Local Board Meetings | Americans United

The City of Huntsville, Ala., discriminated against a Wiccan priest when it rescinded his invitation to deliver a prayer before a city council meeting, Americans United for Separation of Church and State says.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to deliver an official invocation before the Huntsville City Council’s June 26 meeting, but his invitation was suddenly withdrawn just days before he was to speak.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

Local Wiccan uninvited to give city council invocation due to ‘community fears’ (poll) | WHNT.com

A great example of why it's best if local governments avoid invocations before meetings altogether,,,

WHNT News 19 confirmed with Huntsville City Attorney Peter Joffrion that Blake had been asked to give the invocation Thursday, but when the agenda was released publicly earlier this week, several council members received community concerns about ‘a Wiccan’ being invited to speak.

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“I gave the invocation earlier this year, at the time they did not ask me what my faith affiliation was, but when they did this time and I told them ‘Wiccan,’ I was told I was no longer invited to give it,” Blake told WHNT News 19 from his home Thursday night.

WHNT News 19 made several attempts to get comment from city council members and Mayor Tommy Battle, but all questions were directed to city attorney Joffrion Thursday evening.

Local Wiccan uninvited to give city council invocation due to ‘community fears’ (poll) | WHNT.com