drop shadow decoration
Card-Carrying Member? Join ... Donate
Home → News → Release

Despite Lancaster Ballot Measure, Sectarian Prayers Prior to City Council Meetings Are Unconstitutional

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Related

ON BACKGROUND:

  • Download a copy of the demand letter (pdf) the ACLU/SC sent Lancaster. 
  • Read about the ACLU/SC's opposition to Lancaster's sectarian prayers before city meetings.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – On Tuesday, a majority of Lancaster voters approved a ballot measure in support of religious prayers at the invocation of city meetings. The ACLU of Southern California opposes the unlawful and divisive use of sectarian prayers at official government meetings of any kind, because the practice violates one of the most basic tenets of the Constitution: the Establishment Clause, which clearly prohibits government from showing favoritism toward any religion. A prayer in the name of Jesus or a Hindu god or any other religious deity also alienates followers of other denominations, as well as nonbelievers.

“In a constitutional democracy such as the United States of America, some basic rights are protected by the Constitution and cannot be determined by a vote,” said Peter Eliasberg, ACLU/SC managing attorney and Manheim Family Attorney for First Amendment Rights. “For example, a majority of voters could not outlaw Republican political rallies, or ban the construction of mosques, temples or churches within city limits.

“We are deeply concerned about the direction Lancaster city leaders have taken in calling for and supporting this ballot measure. No court in the land has ever approved a city’s attempt to specifically authorize sectarian prayers prior to city meetings. If the Lancaster City Council continues its policy of allowing sectarian prayers prior to meetings, we will explore all legal avenues to determine how to proceed.”

home | contact us | jobs | privacy policy | user agreement | legal intake | chapter calendar | RSS/feeds

This is the web site of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and the ACLU Foundation of Southern California.
Learn more about the distinction between these two components of the ACLU. Copyright 2007 The ACLU of Southern California.