Banned 'Jesus Dancers' file federal suit
Good for them. There was no reason for them to be banned in the first place.
Six girls barred from performing in a city's holiday show because they wore "Jesus Christ Dancers" shirts filed a federal lawsuit in San Diego today.
As WorldNetDaily reported, the girls, ages 8 to 12, were scheduled Dec. 3 to perform a hip-hop dance routine at a "Holiday Festival" in Chula Vista, Calif., but a city official prevented them from going on stage because of the Christian message on their T-shirts and their accompanying Christian music.
The black shirts, bearing a silver cross, had the words "Jesus Christ Dancers" on the front.
The American Family Association Center for Law & Policy is representing the girls and their instructor, Lita Ramirez, in the suit against the city and a recreation supervisor, John Gates.
The dancers were listed first on the Holiday Festival's schedule of performers, but officials kept the girls waiting 80 minutes as they deliberated about whether to allow the act, according to the troupe's instructor, Lita Ramirez.
When finally informed they could not perform, the girls began to cry, some hysterically, parents said.
Ramirez, described the experience as humiliating.
AFA senior trial attorney Brian Fahling called the conduct of Chula Vista officials "inexcusable."
"The city allowed a Hawaiian prayer dance, a belly dancer and other 'holiday' performers, and there was a tree-lighting ceremony afterward where a rabbi lighted a menorah, but six young girls wearing T-shirts with 'Jesus Dancer' and a cross silk-screened on them was too offensive," he said.
Fahling said that without judicial resolution, "there is no way to guarantee that these little girls and other Christians won't receive similar treatment by the city in the future."
The lawsuit alleges the city's decision "was impermissible viewpoint-based discrimination against religious speech in a public forum."
Specifically, the complaint says, the city prohibited "the name of Jesus being displayed and the songs with words that praise the Christian God from being played while permitting other religious and secular songs and expression."
posted by Steve | 12/20/2005 06:39:00 AM
5 Comments:
I hope the ACLU takes notice that they arent the only ones with prosecuting power!
I really do believe that they have been terrorizing these cities with the thread of lawsuites when in fact, they either would not have followed throught with them or they would have lost once they came to trial. I hope people will continue to support these groups who are opposing them.
Perhaps I misunderstood your comment that you wrote regarding the Jesus Christ Dancers. My understanding is that you oppose these 8-12 year old little girls who, according to the lawsuit, the dancers were asked to turn their shirts inside out before taking the stage. The group also was asked if its music had a religious message, which Ramirez said it did.
After waiting for more than an hour, the group was told it could not perform. Many of the girls cried, Ramirez said.
Basically they were persecuted by a man named John Gates who is a supervisor for the city of Chula Vista Park and Recreation.
This lawsuit is not just for these 8-12 year old girl, but for the many of Christians who are being persecuted every day, and don't know their rights in either the community or the work environment.
Yes, you completely misunderstood my comment, and for that you have my apologies for not being more clear.
I fully support the Jesus Christ Dancers and their right to not only perform the songs they want to (even if they are religious) and keep their shirts turned right side out. I think the lawsuite is justified and find the attitude of the supervisor and city deplorable. I see it as yet another attack on Christians in this country and anyting that can be done to stop it is getting my full support.
God Bless and Merry Christmas!!
I too would like to then apologize for not completely understanding. God Bless you and have a Merry CHRISTmas, and live with grace and mercy all through your life.
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