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Frankenmuth (July 2, 2008)
The struggle over the 80 foot cross on public land and the Lutheran cross on the city’s shield continues. Frankenmuth has engaged the Thomas More Law Center to represent the city in the event of litigation. Currently, we’re working with Heather Weaver, AU Litigator, on the case.
The matter has attracted an enormous amount of media attention, both in the Frankenmuth area and in Metro Detroit. Most of the “Letters to the Editor” have been extraordinarily negative. It’s clear that Frankenmuth’s government and citizenry believe that church/state separation does not apply to them.
Special kudos must go to Frankenmuth member Lloyd Clarke. Inspired by the video “Everything You Wanted to Know About Church and State Separation But Were Afraid To Ask” (AU and the Interfaith Alliance’s First Freedom First project), Lloyd led the charge against Frankenmuth’s blatant challenge to America’s principles of religious freedom and, as a result, suffered serious consequences. Many Frankenmuth citizens launched verbal attacks against him and the security of his family was threatened.
President Hal Downs and our allies, Michigan Atheists, weighed in on the issue at Frankenmuth’s May 7, 2008 city council meeting.
More on this important story as it develops.
Dearborn Public Schools: Fordson High School (July 2, 2008)
Numerous church and state allegations against Fordson’s principal, Imad Fadlallah, came pouring into AU-Michigan’s office in May and June. The allegations: a sign placed in the school library reading “Have You Embraced Islam?”; the school’s policy of serving exclusively halal food in the cafeteria; allegations of unreasonable religious accommodations granted to Muslim students and staff; discrimination against non-Muslim staff and students; discrimination against non-Shia Muslims; and the questionable termination of Fordson’s long-time wrestling coach.
The termination of the coach elicited the most response from the public and the bulk of the media coverage. According press reports, the coach was terminated due to his violations of church and state separation! According to legitimate sources, this accusation carries no merit.
This “mosque and state” matter is very complicated and AU’s legal department is looking into it very carefully.
Side bar: The coach solicited the help of Representative Fulton Sheen to investigate the matter. Sheen is social conservative from Michigan’s west side. The district, on the other hand, has launched its own investigation. Anticipate highly contradictory reports from these two investigative bodies. Also, the recently retired superintendent of schools, John Artis, who was – undeniably - one of Imad Fadlallah’s greatest supporters, just secured a high-level position with ACCESS, the leading Arab-American organization in Dearborn.
Other News
AU-Michigan continues to field an average of two church and state violation reports weekly. They range from academic issues to government-initiated prayer to public financial support of sectarian religion...you name it. We continue to address each and every one with passion and professionalism.
Ann Arbor Art Fair: July 16-19
We’re back! If you plan visit this remarkable fair, please drop by our booth on Liberty near Fifth. We’ll be there from dawn to dusk!
New Website!
Webmaster and Board of Directors member Paul Pearson of Delta9Marketing has just set up our new site, and will be tweaking it during the coming weeks. Please give us your feedback and suggestions by visiting the Contact page!
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