Freethought & Rationalism Archive

GaryP · 11-29-2002, 11:09 AM

The city of Cincinnati is attempting to prevent a Jewish group from displaying a menorah in a public park;
Court: Fountain Square's menorah will have to wait
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Kimball Perry and Kevin Osborne
Post staff reporters

Cincinnati officials lost one round, then won another Wednesday in the legal challenge over what can be displayed at downtown's Fountain Square during the holidays.
A federal judge ruled earlier in the day that the city's ban on displays at the square -- while allowing a city-sponsored Christmas tree -- was unconstitutional.
Banning free speech at Fountain Square is "the most outrageous intrusion" on First Amendment rights, said U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott.

from
<a href="http://www.cincypost.com/2002/11/28/square11-28-2002.html" target="_blank">Cincinnati Post</a>

This is especially meaningful to me because in '99 I asked for permission to display an Atheist Winter greeting in my city. The city responded by putting up 3 wooden carolers and converting the bandstand into "Santa's Workshop" while putting the creche in a more prominent place than it had previously been.. They also prohibit any "unattended private displays".

If the final decision in this case goes against the city, I would think my city might have to chnge also.

Does anybody else have Nativity Scenes on public property near your location?

[ November 29, 2002: Message edited by: GaryP ]</p>

beejay · 11-29-2002, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Putting a cross on the square during the holidays has been a Klan tradition since 1993, although not every year.

The city tried to block the cross in the early 1990s, but lost a lawsuit.

City officials and residents have debated sharply for the past few years about again trying to legally block the Klan's display, with some residents saying officials haven't pursued the case vigorously enough.

This is an interesting case. The court found that this is a public forum, which means the city can't regulate who can who can erect displays based on content.

I'm sure many city leaders would like to have the traditional Christian displays without letting anyone else in, especially the embarrassing KKK.

If you live in Cincinnati and have an atheist display, it's time to dust it off and get ready to put it in Fountain Square.

(And to answer the original question, no government nativity scene in Richmond IN.)

GaryP · 11-30-2002, 07:13 AM

Justice Stevens has struck down the city's restictions;

Justice John Paul Stevens (news - web sites) ruled late Friday that the city may not enforce its restriction against such displays, which was designed primarily to block the Ku Klux Klan from erecting a cross on Fountain Square as it has several times during the Christmas season in the past.

from;
<a href="http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20021130/pl_nm/religion_usa_menorah_dc_2" target="_blank">yahoo.com</a>

Montefarle · 11-30-2002, 04:33 PM

What exactly would an atheist display include? Just wondering.

GaryP · 11-30-2002, 06:08 PM

Maybe "Happy Solsice, The real reason for the Season" or "Season's Grettings from your friendly neighborhood Atheists".

I really had no intention of putting up anything, but I wanted to know that I COULD put something up if I wanted.

I also was thinking of asking American Atheists if I could use their symbol.

joedad · 12-02-2002, 08:06 AM

In Pittsburgh, the Nativity scene used to be at the County Courthouse but is now at the U. S. Steel Building, on what is private property.

I've never seen it at either location.

joe

11-29-2002, 11:09 AM	#1
GaryP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 1,792	Cincy's Fountain Square The city of Cincinnati is attempting to prevent a Jewish group from displaying a menorah in a public park; Court: Fountain Square's menorah will have to wait -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Kimball Perry and Kevin Osborne Post staff reporters Cincinnati officials lost one round, then won another Wednesday in the legal challenge over what can be displayed at downtown's Fountain Square during the holidays. A federal judge ruled earlier in the day that the city's ban on displays at the square -- while allowing a city-sponsored Christmas tree -- was unconstitutional. Banning free speech at Fountain Square is "the most outrageous intrusion" on First Amendment rights, said U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott. from <a href="http://www.cincypost.com/2002/11/28/square11-28-2002.html" target="_blank">Cincinnati Post</a> This is especially meaningful to me because in '99 I asked for permission to display an Atheist Winter greeting in my city. The city responded by putting up 3 wooden carolers and converting the bandstand into "Santa's Workshop" while putting the creche in a more prominent place than it had previously been.. They also prohibit any "unattended private displays". If the final decision in this case goes against the city, I would think my city might have to chnge also. Does anybody else have Nativity Scenes on public property near your location? [ November 29, 2002: Message edited by: GaryP ]</p>

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11-30-2002, 07:13 AM	#3
GaryP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 1,792	Justice Stevens has struck down the city's restictions; Justice John Paul Stevens (news - web sites) ruled late Friday that the city may not enforce its restriction against such displays, which was designed primarily to block the Ku Klux Klan from erecting a cross on Fountain Square as it has several times during the Christmas season in the past. from; <a href="http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20021130/pl_nm/religion_usa_menorah_dc_2" target="_blank">yahoo.com</a>

11-30-2002, 04:33 PM	#4
Montefarle Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: GA Posts: 21	What exactly would an atheist display include? Just wondering.

11-30-2002, 06:08 PM	#5
GaryP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 1,792	Maybe "Happy Solsice, The real reason for the Season" or "Season's Grettings from your friendly neighborhood Atheists". I really had no intention of putting up anything, but I wanted to know that I COULD put something up if I wanted. I also was thinking of asking American Atheists if I could use their symbol.

12-02-2002, 08:06 AM	#6
joedad Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: PA USA Posts: 5,039	In Pittsburgh, the Nativity scene used to be at the County Courthouse but is now at the U. S. Steel Building, on what is private property. I've never seen it at either location. joe

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