A Florida library slammed the door on a Christian organization and now faces a federal court lawsuit.
Anthony Verdugo of the Christian Family Coalition (CFC) sought access to a public library room in New Smyrna Beach for a seminar entitled “Religion in America.” But Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) attorney Joel Oster tells OneNewsNow that CFC’s founder and executive director was denied usage strictly on the basis of the religious speech — in violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
“The time has passed — pastors and churches should not live in fear of being punished by the government simply because of their religious speech and their religious message,” the attorney emphasizes. “Our country is best served when churches are allowed to be the church in our communities — and their speech should not be silenced simply because they are the church.”
So, what groups are permitted to use the facility? “Any other organization like the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, public-interest groups, community groups are allowed to use the facility,” Oster replies. “But [library policy says] you cannot use the facility if your purpose is religious.”
The ADF attorney argues that that policy is not only unconstitutional, but the law has already been settled in various court cases that say if other groups are permitted access to a public facility, then religious ones cannot be denied that same access.
Oster is asking that his client be able to use the room on an equal basis with others. The lawsuit, Verdugo v. New Smyrna Beach Public Library, was filed with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida-Orlando.
