Tag Archives: Bossier Parish

Louisiana sheriff says ACLU won’t stop public prayer event

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A sheriff in Louisiana said he couldn’t care less what the American Civil Liberties Union says about his planned public prayer event — it’s going forward, lawsuit or no lawsuit.

“Not only am I elected to serve the people of Bossier Parish, but I live here and my family lives here,” Sheriff Julian Whittington told The Shreveport Times, of his upcoming food, music and prayer rally for the Fourth of July.

“I think Bossier Parish is a better place with Christianity and Christian values involved in it. I am an elected official. I’m also a citizen here. I think this is what’s best for us. I don’t work for anybody in Washington. What they do, what they say, I couldn’t really care less.”

The event is the locality’s second annual “In God We Trust” rally, and it uses in part public money. But it’s being held on church property — and that has ACLU executive director Marjorie Esman up in arms, Newsmax reported.

“If the event is held on sheriff’s property, then by definition it is a public event that sends a message of government endorsement of Christianity,” Ms. Esman told The Shreveport Times.

Read more at Washington Times

Sheriff’s rally follows best of our traditions

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Sixty years ago, the Supreme Court famously observed, “We are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being. When the state encourages religious instruction or cooperates with religious authorities by adjusting the schedule of public events to sectarian needs, it follows the best of our traditions.”

Sheriff Whittington - Photo from Bossier Parish Sheriff web site.

Sheriff Whittington – Photo from Bossier Parish Sheriff web site.

In the mind of the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, the only thing worse than the conservative, God-fearing citizens of Bossier Parish are the no-nonsense elected officials here who stand boldly for our values. A leader like Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington is the ACLU’s worst nightmare, because he is completely unaffected by their standard intimidation tactics.

The announcement of the Sheriff’s second annual “In God We Trust Rally” for July 4th is giving the ACLU fits because they find it absolutely intolerable that thousands of patriotic citizens would want to come together again for a free event to celebrate Independence Day and show support for the national motto. Unfortunately for the ACLU, the Sheriff and the people still enjoy these fundamental rights.

Read more at Bossier Press-Tribune