and Religious Freedom
on City Hall in Green Bay, Wisconsin
Religious Symbols in the Public Square: Many, if Any
"If there are to be holidays displays with religious symbols on public buildings and property, those displays need to accommodate America's religious pluralism. I sum this up as: Many, if Any, " said Rev. Selena Fox, Senior Minister of Circle Sanctuary, one of America's oldest and largest Wiccan churches, which is based near Barneveld, Wisconsin.
On Friday, December 14, 2007, Circle Sanctuary contributed a Pagan Yuletide wreath with Wiccan pentacle to the City Hall holidays display in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
"We contributed the pentacle wreath to the public display for several reasons" says Fox. "First of all, we wanted Yuletide represented since this also being celebrated at this time of year. We also contributed it as part of our participation in Interfaith Awareness Week. Furthermore, since the Mayor of Green Bay invited those of other faiths to contribute symbols, we contributed it so that the process of having this holidays display be interfaith could begin."
The pentacle wreath was torn down by an unknown vandal early in the morning on Monday, December 17th. Circle offered to provide a replacement wreath, and was asked to wait for the decision of the full City Council the following day. At the December 18 City Council meeting, the Council split 6-6 on a vote to leave the Nativity alone up until December 26, then send the matter to a committee to draft better guidelines for the future. Mayor Jim Schmitt then voted to approve that plan, and a slightly altered display stayed up until December 26th.
On Tuesday, December 26, the Freedom From Religion Foundation and 14 Green Bay residents (none connected with Circle Sanctuary) filed suit in Federal court.
Photo Gallery
Circle Press Releases:
December 19, 2007 Circle Times: Solstice Talks for Equal Rights for Pagans at Yuletide
December 17 Press Release:
Wiccan Pentacle Wreath Vandalized, but Yuletide Celebrations Continue
December 14, 2007 Circle Sanctuary Press Release
Other Organizations' Press Releases:
December 20, 2007 - Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Press Release: Continued Display Of Nativity Scene Is Unconstitutional, Americans United Tells Green Bay Officials
News Coverage:
Green Bay Press-Gazette:
12/13: Blessed Mess? Green Bay nativity scene polarizes public
12/15: Wiccan Star Shines over Green Bay City Hall Manager Scene
12/16: Festivus pole to join Green Bay nativity scene?
12/17: Green Bay mayor: No more holiday displays for time being
12/18: Green Bay mayor declares moratorium on holiday displays
12/19: Green Bay council says nativity can stay; the rest must wait
12/20: Editorial: Nativity decision violates Constitution
12/20: Lawsuit pending over Green Bay nativity scene
12/20: Public packed Green Bay City Council meeting on nativity scene
12/21: Green Bay mayor asked to take down the Nativity
12/24: Nativity controversy's effect on community still being weighed
12/25: Group filing lawsuit over Green Bay nativity scene
12/27: Downtown nativity gone, not forgotten
12/27: EDITORIAL: Leaders offered city as political football
12/29: Group to file for dismissal of lawsuit in nativity flap
Wisconsin State Journal (Madison):
12/21: Say it again, Symbols should stay in church
WBAY - ABC 2 (Green Bay):
12/16: Addition to City Hall Display
12/20: Do Green Bay City Leaders have Nativity Displays at Their Homes?
12/21: Mayor Responds to Request to Remove Nativity and Threat of Lawsuit
WFRV - CBS 5 (Green Bay):
12/16: Wiccan Symbol Added to City Hall Roof Display
12/18: Wiccan Wreath Vandalized at City Hall
12/19: Northeast Wisconsin Nativity Scenes to Stay Up
WLUK - FOX 11 (Green Bay):
12/16: More Religious Symbols to Join Nativity Scene at City Hall
12/19: Nativity Will Stay Up at Green Bay City Hall
12/19: Next Step in Green Bay Nativity Debate
National Public Radio:
12/19: Green Bay Votes to Keep City Hall Nativity
BBSNews.net:
12/17: Wiccan Pentacle Wreath Vandalized Beside Nativity in Wisconsin
12/20: Pentacle Wreath No Longer Welcome in Green Bay but Nativity Stays
12/20: Watchdog Group Urges Removal of Nativity from Green Bay City Hall
The Carpetbagger Report:
12/22: Up on the rooftop is a constitutional violation
Pagan Wreath Added to Christmas Display
Saturday, December 15, 2007
United Press International
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Quirks/2007/12/15/pagan_wreath_added_to_christmas_display/4733/
Earth Times (United Kingdom)
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/159400.html
Related Material:
Human Rights Day: Monday, December 10, 2007
Interfaith Awarenesss Week at the Wisconsin State Capitol
http://storybridge.tv/episode/032
includes chanting by Rev. Selena Fox & other Solstice Singers
More about Circle Sanctuary's Participation in Interfaith Awareness Week:
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/ministries/interfaith/IAW07
More about Circle Sanctuary and its Winter Solstice Celebrations
http://www.circlesanctuary.org
More about Ancient Celebrations of Winter Solstice - National Geographic
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/12/1220_021220_solstice.html
Celebrate Winter Solstice at these area events
Wisconsin State Journal, December 14, 2007
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/entertainment//index.php?ntid=262233
Winter Solstice Program - Wisconsin Public Radio
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 with Rev. Fox & Professor Harvey (UK)
http://www.wpr.org/hereonearth
Nativity and Wreath on City Hall Roof
Vandalized Wreath (front)
Vandalized Wreath (back)
Another Pentacle Wreath looks over this year's Winter Solstice Pageant sponsored by Circle Sanctuary and Madison CUUPS at the First Unitarian Society on December 22 in Madison, Wisconsin
Pentacle Wreath as part of the Yuletide altar area at this year's Winter Solstice Pageant in Madison, Wisconsin