For more than 60 years, Berkley, Mich., has made a place for Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus outside City Hall. But last year, the Nativity was removed, thanks to the American Civil Liberties Union. Now residents are fighting to bring Baby Jesus back.
Ken Halloran, along with his wife and other volunteers, formed a grassroots petition, gathered signatures, and in November, city residents will vote on an amendment to bring the Nativity back.
“We want to restore the city tradition and get it back on City Hall where it belongs," Halloran told Family News in Focus. "We feel that not having a Nativity is specifically discriminating against the Christian faith.”
If the town votes "Yes" to amend its charter, the Nativity will be displayed alongside other Christmas decorations.
“It will be an inclusive display that will have the Nativity scene and perhaps a Star of David or a Menorah," said Brian Rooney of the Thomas More Law Center, "so that way we get around any constitutional challenges that the ACLU might muster.”
And if the ACLU still wants to pick a fight?
“If we can avoid a lawsuit, we will," Rooney said, "but if we can’t and the ACLU decides they want to sue anyway, we’re more than willing to take up the challenge.”
