Atheists sue city of Lakeland over prayers at meetings
Lawsuit claims group made to feel uncomfortable
Posted: 07/13/2010
LAKELAND, Fla. - A local group said this week it doesn't like how city commission meetings are handled in Lakeland, so they have filed a lawsuit.
Athiests of Florida filed the federal lawsuit in a Tampa court, claiming the city's invocation, which includes public prayer, is violating people's right to separation of matters regarding church and state, equal protection and her freedom of expression.
"They target non-believers. They say this is a Christian city, and that we need to fulfill our destiny so that is rather offensive," said EllenBeth Wachs with Athiests of Florida.
Lakeland's Mayor, Gow Fields, read the city's response from a prepared statement during a news briefing.
"We have designed our practice after what the US Eleventh circuit court of appeals has ruled to be constitutional," said Mayor Fields.
Fields said the city can't speak to specifics of the lawsuit because they have not received it yet, but Fields said the city plans to fight the lawsuit in court.
Copyright 2010 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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