republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:
The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) sent a
letter on Jan. 20 to Rienzi Mayor Walter Williams to assert that the
flag, which had been flown in Veterans Memorial Park, was
unconstitutional. It said that it had been contacted by a local
resident—who was not named—to advise them of the flag’s presence.
“We write to ensure that the town remove the Christian flag from its
memorial garden in order to avoid unconstitutional religious
endorsement,” the letter
read. “We appreciate that the town of Reinzi is attempting to
memorialize [veterans’] sacrifice. But as numerous government entities
have already discovered, honoring those who have served their community
and country does not override the need to remain neutral toward
religion.”
FFRF urged Williams to utilize a completely secular display instead,
and noted that it can be “quite costly” to ignore their request as
another city settled with FFRF in 2015 for $500,000.
“There are countless ways to recognize the sacrifice of our veterans
and military members without also endorsing one religion over all others
in violation of the Constitution,” it said. “By flying a Christian flag
over the memorial, Rienzi sends the message that the town values the
service of minority religious and nonreligious service members less than
their Christian counterparts.”
As a result of the letter, Williams had the flag removed.
“I never dreamed that something like this would have happened in a
town this small, but it happened,” he told local television station
WREG. “We’re gonna fly that flag again and I’m hoping it’s not going to
be long.”
On Saturday, more than 100 residents from the small town of 300 held a
rally in support of the flag, some themselves bearing the emblem.
“We’re not gonna let other people, or a foundation, or anybody else
up in Wisconsin tell us that we can’t fly our flag!” organizer Kevin
Nelms proclaimed to those gathered.
“My whole point behind this [is], you’re gonna take one down, we’re
gonna put a hundred back up,” he added to reporters. Supporters ran
another Christian flag up the flagpole during the event.
Nelms and his group rode from the VFW on their motorcycles to Veterans Memorial Park, flying the flag as they went.
“As a proud American, but number one as a proud Christian, I came
today to stand up for the Lord and stand up for our freedom,”
participant Susan Woodruff stated.
Williams says that he has hired an attorney and further discussion
about the matter will be held at its next board meeting on Tuesday. He
was among those who attended the rally on Saturday.
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republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:
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