Legal Battle over Commission Meeting Prayer Moves Forward
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ROWAN COUNTY, NC — It’s round two in the legal battle over prayer at Rowan County Commission meetings.
Monday, Commissioners voted unanimously to appeal a federal court ruling that commissioner prayers before public meetings were discriminatory and unconstitutional.
In May, a judge ordered commissioners to stop their prayer practice after the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina sued on behalf of three residents.
U.S. District Judge James Beaty ruled that the commissioners violated the Constitution when they asked the public to join in prayer that was specific to one religion.
The ACLU says between 2007 and 2013, more than 97 percent of the prayers delivered by commissioners before public meetings were specific to Christianity.
Commissioners argued Monday, that ruling now violates their Constitutional rights.
“What’s really at risk is our right to free speech,” said Judy Klusman.
“One day a Hindu, a Muslim, a Universalist will sit in this seat,” said Chairman Greg Edds. “I will rise to support their prayer.”
ACLU Legal Director Chris Brook wrote after Monday’s appeal vote:
“Rowan County residents should be able to attend public meetings without being coerced into participating in a government-sponsored prayer or fearing that they may be discriminated against for having different beliefs than the commissioners. We will continue to make our arguments in court in order to ensure that public meetings in Rowan County strive to be welcoming to all members of the community.”
“If we lose this appeal, it is not going to be free,” said Rowan County Resident Jack Burke. “It’s going to be an expensive process, and then we’re really not going to like it.”
The ACLU says the judge will decide the cost of the appeal based on how the parties settle and attorney fees.
Local pastors like Joel Ervin think the churches can foot the bill.
“I believe churches in our area would be more than willing to come together in one accord for unified effort to support the First Amendment and praying in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Ervin.
