May 3, 2002: MEDIA ADVISORY: Preliminary Injunction Hearing in ACLU-TN Lawsuit Challenging the Posting of the Ten Commandments in Rutherford County Set for May 6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2002

For More Information, Contact
Hedy Weinberg, Executive Director
American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, (615) 320-7142

Preliminary Injunction Hearing in ACLU-TN Lawsuit Challenging the Posting of the Ten Commandments in Rutherford County
Set for May 6

The hearing for the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction in American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee v. Rutherford County will take place on Monday, May 6, at 1:30 p.m. in the Federal District Courthouse in Nashville. Federal District Court Judge Robert Echols of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee will preside in the ACLU-TN lawsuit challenging the posting of the Ten Commandments as part of a “Foundation of American Law and Government” display in the Rutherford County Courthouse.

ACLU-TN filed the lawsuit on behalf of a coalition of concerned residents on April 18, 2002. Plaintiffs include Leann Anderson, Steve Cates, Joan Hill, Dawn Weiss Montgomery, Leon Nuell, Joseph Shaw, and Dale Tipps. ACLU-TN also is a plaintiff on behalf of its members in Rutherford County.

In the lawsuit, ACLU-TN argues that the posting of the Ten Commandments - with or without other accompanying documents - violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits government from promoting or supporting religious doctrine. Plaintiffs are requesting that the Ten Commandments display be taken down in order to protect religious freedom for Rutherford County residents.

ACLU-TN cooperating attorneys are George Barrett and Susan L. Kay of Nashville.

ACLU-TN filed a similar lawsuit in Hamilton County challenging the posting of the Ten Commandments in the Hamilton County Juvenile Courts Building, the Hamilton County-Chattanooga Courts Building, and the Hamilton County Courthouse. An expedited trial took place on April 29 with Federal District Court Judge Allen Edgar presiding.

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