April 25, 2002: MEDIA ADVISORY: ACLU-TN Lawsuit Challenging the Posting of the Ten Commandments in Hamilton County Goes to Trial April 29

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2002

For more information, contact
Hedy Weinberg, Executive Director (615) 320-7142

ACLU-TN Lawsuit Challenging the Posting of the
Ten Commandments in Hamilton County Goes to Trial April 29

On Monday, April 29, at 9:00 a.m., Federal District Judge Allen Edgar of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee will hear arguments in American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee v. Hamilton County - the ACLU-TN lawsuit challenging the posting of the Ten Commandments in Hamilton County public buildings. The trial will take place in the Federal Courthouse in Chattanooga.

ACLU-TN filed the lawsuit on behalf of a coalition of clergy and concerned residents on January 29, 2002.

In the lawsuit, ACLU-TN argues that the posting of the Ten Commandments violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits government from promoting or supporting religious doctrine. The postings are in the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Building, the Hamilton County-Chattanooga Courts Building, and the Hamilton County Courthouse.

Plaintiffs include Reverend John W. Mingus, Sr., Rabbi Philip Posner, Reverend Melanie Morel Sullivan, Rabbi Josef Davidson, Reverend Roland Johnson, Jr. and concerned residents Tom and Nancy Bibler, Brad Guagnini, William David Jones, Robert and Priscilla Siskin, and Tracy and Donna Knauss. ACLU-TN also is a plaintiff on behalf of its members in Hamilton County.

ACLU-TN cooperating attorneys are Hugh Hamilton of Chattanooga and Susan Kay of Nashville.

ACLU-TN is asking that the three Ten Commandments displays be taken down in order to protect religious freedom for Hamilton County residents.

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