Fall 2003
Lady Liberty League Report
Published in CIRCLE Magazine
Lady Liberty League Prison Ministry Report
Lady Liberty League received seventeen requests for assistance with religious discrimination issues in prisons since May. We also received forty requests for information, literature, and books on Wicca and Paganism from inmates. In addition, we received six requests from prison officials in five different states for Wiccan information, and all six expressed interest in setting up Pagan programs at their institutions. Lady Liberty League’s Prison Ministry Coordinator, Rev. Patrick McCollum also was contacted by several Pagan individuals and by two Pagan organizations that are currently operating prison ministry programs. One, Rev. Sandra Beck of Arizona, who's started a program in that state, offered to assist Patrick and LLL with Pagan prison ministry work. The other, Michelle Eventide, Director of The Nonnery Refuge located in California, contacted Patrick for assistance in getting a new program started that that organization has instituted at Sierra Conservation Center in Jamestown California. Patrick will be traveling to Jamestown in August 2003 to meet with both Michelle's group and prison officials to help resolve issues and get things going. In June, Patrick taught a Pagan Prison Ministry Intensive as a part of the Pagan Leadership Institute held during the Pagan Spirit Gathering in Ohio. Since that time, several of the participants have already taken the initial steps to set up Pagan prison ministry programs in their states.
On another note, several court cases concerning religious discrimination against Pagans in prison are moving forward. One in particular, involving a circle led by inmate William Rouser at the California State Prison, Sacramento, is proceeding in Federal court. Rouser was instrumental in obtaining rights for Wiccan inmates in California when he won a lawsuit seven years ago. However, California has failed to honor the terms of that suit and, consequently, Rouser and a number of other inmates have taken them back to court in a class action suit. Another case against the California Department of Corrections this month was filed by Patrick McCollum himself. The case, which was filed with the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, challenges the state of California's discriminatory hiring policy which only allows the state to hire clergy members from five state designated faiths, Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, and Native American. Patrick has challenged this policy stating that it is a violation of the United States Constitution for any government agency to discriminate in employment on the basis of religion, and that it is a violation of the separation of church and state for the state of California to favor or sponsor any religion over another. This case is the result of the state of California's refusal to accept applications for employment from Wiccans, for open and publicly advertised clergy positions.
Victory in the Schools!
Windwalker of Kentucky sends us this report: Sarah, a ninth grader in Missouri, had her art rejected as a winner in her school’s Wall of Fame contest conducted in April 2003 because the principal objected to her self-portrait, in which Sarah depicted herself wearing a pentagram with a winged pig pulling at it. Sarah said that the pig represented people who object to her religion. The “Wall of Fame” is a contest in which the best artwork of the ninth grade class is hung in the corridor outside of the eighth and ninth grade art classrooms for the upcoming (2003-2004) school year to inspire incoming students. The winners are selected by the art teachers and approved by the principal. One art teacher told Sarah that Sarah’s self-portrait was rejected because of its religious theme and pentagram symbol. However, another student’s art piece with a religious theme and symbol was accepted; one of Sarah’s friends had depicted an individual hanging from a Christian cross. Sarah’s parents were able to finally resolve the issue by citing laws against religious discrimination in the schools to the School Board. Sarah’s art will now be hung on the Wall of Fame. Sarah’s mother hopes that others will see that they are not powerless when bigotry happens, and will choose to take action. The school was surprised to know that Sarah’s family’s church, Ozark Avalon, is recognized by both the state and the federal governments as a Wiccan church. Special thanks to Rev. Rose Wise of Ozark Avalon who called the principal on Sarah’s behalf. Well wishes to Sarah and her family can be sent to them: dreamz6166@yahoo.com.
Decision Pending on Wiccan Invocation Case
Lady Liberty League has provided support to Cynthia Simpson of Virginia since she contacted LLL last year about her case. She sends us this update: On August 22, 2002, after hearing that the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors routinely opened their Board meetings with an invocation prayer, and that these invocations had always been Christian prayers, I decided to request that I be allowed to give an invocation. Chesterfield County, in Virginia, is part of the greater Richmond metropolitan area, and home to around 500,000 people. Chesterfield County is culturally and religiously diverse and includes Native Americans, Buddhists, Jews, Moslems, Hindus, and Pagans as well as Christians. The County refused to allow me to give the invocation, saying that their “non-sectarian invocations must be given in the Judeo-Christian tradition.” The County also stated that because Wicca is “polytheistic and pre-Christian,” the God forms I honor would not be welcomed. (Of course, the Christian God is also “pre-Christian,” something apparently lost on the Board and the County Attorney who took this position.) In other words, it is the nature and content of my beliefs that the County found unacceptable. This is in direct violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution.
Before deciding to ask the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to take my case, I prayed and thought a great deal about whether or not bringing such a lawsuit would be in the best and highest interest of all involved. I also attempted non-legal solutions. However, in spite of my repeated and direct attempts to speak about my concerns with the County Attorney and Board members, no one would speak with me. In addition, several members of the Board of Supervisors made remarks in the media that were hostile and demeaning to Witches and Witchcraft. The County Board chairman said of Witchcraft: “it is not a religion, it is a mockery of religion.” The Board of Supervisors is not a private group or club; it is public local government. To receive outright religious discrimination from my own government seems especially wrong and in need of challenge. Because I was receiving non-communication and non-respect from my own government, I decided to seek legal help.
The ACLU of Virginia agreed to take my case. They have been joined by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. As a separation of church and state absolutist, I would prefer that the County government not do invocations at all. In most cases, I believe such invocations are an attempt, subtle and sometimes not, to promote Christianity in particular and religion in general. I believe all Americans should not have to endure this in the public arena, because freedom of religion includes freedom FROM religion, too. I also believe that such practices have the effect of actually trivializing religion, particularly when the government bodies which are involved so often do not seem to follow any of the spiritual guidance and exhortation they receive! These displays then become exercises of hypocrisy.
My lawsuit was filed on December 6, 2002. Both the County and I have filed motions for summary judgment. This means that both sides are saying to the judge that the case law and precedent and issues are so clear and straightforward, it will be obvious that we are right and there is no need for a trial. Obviously this cannot be so for both parties. When motions for summary judgment have been filed, the judge has the attorneys come in to make a presentation and answer his questions. This hearing was held on Tuesday, July 22, 2003. The judge said at the outset not to expect any decision “or the hint of a decision” that day. He questioned both attorneys closely as to their application of case law and logic. This session lasted less than forty minutes. The judge might decide in favor of either party, thus granting that party’s motion, or he may decide that the issues are not at all clear and call for a trial. The ACLU says a decision might be coming in several weeks, or it may be several months. I plan to keep LLL updated.
I have been a Unitarian Universalist for thirty years and a Witch for seven years. I am a member of the Reclaiming Tradition’s Central Virginia group, the BroomRiders Association. I came to Witchcraft through my feminism, my social justices activism, my environmentalism, and because I have heard the Goddess calling to me my entire life! In September, I will enter Union Theological Seminary (Presbyterian) in Richmond, Virginia, to begin studies leading to ordination as a Unitarian Universalist minister. I am very interested in pursuing prison work, anti-racism activism, and community ministry as a UU minister and Witch.
Selena Fox, LLL’s support person for Cyndi (Cynthia), asks that you remember Cyndi and her case in your circles and prayers. Email well wishes and words of encouragement to Cyndi:
cyndisimpson@hotmail.com
Lady Liberty League Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of Lady Liberty League convened on Thursday, June 19, 2003 at the Circle Pavilion at PSG. Two dozen Pagan religious freedom activists from around the US were present. Selena Fox, LLL’s Executive Director, facilitated the meeting, and Jerrie Hildebrand, LLL Advisor, was recorder. Various individuals attending the meeting gave brief reports about successes and challenges in securing rights for Pagans:
Jerrie Hildebrand reported on cases involving families, student groups and public schools. She spoke about India Tracy’s case in Tennessee, the Agriest family in Florida, and the chartered student religious organization success of the PATHS group at Southern Methodist University in Texas.
Selena Fox discussed interfaith issues and shared the good news that Circle minister Rev. Angie Buchanan has become the first Pagan to be appointed and serve on the Board of Directors for the Parliament of the World Religions.
Dagonet Dewr of the Pagan Pride Project and New Witch Magazine reported the Project’s continuing success. He mentioned that international events are being planned in eleven countries in addition to the US. He mentioned that Pagan Pride is looking for an accountant who can do pro bono work with them.
Silverdrake, LLL Military Pagan affairs coordinator, spoke about military chaplaincy issues. Silverdrake also reported on Circle Sanctuary’s miliary Pagan prayer card project.
John Machate of the Military Pagan Network (MPN) mentioned that in the US Air Force, that there are about the same number of Wiccans as Muslims. He talked about MPN’s efforts to encourage Military Pagans to go on record about their Pagan religious orientations.
Jill mentioned the removal of the ten commandments monument from public grounds in Ohio.
Patrick McCollum described his religious freedom work with LLL’s Prison Ministry. He gave an overview of cases involving Pagan inmates and clergy. He reported on the growing trend in some prisons to designate outdoor space on prison grounds for Pagan worship.
Mim reported that she had been appointed to the local licensing board for clinical psychologists in her area. She also discussed her experiences with being a foster parent and out as a Pagan.
Sherri described difficulties in adopting her grandchildren after her daughter's death. Her Pagan religious beliefs are being cited as one of the issues.
Some upcoming issues facing Pagans were also discussed:
Pagan Pride event protesters and threats in Mississippi and other states are on the rise. It is indicating that as a religious movement we are now on the radar screen of those who do not like us. When one reaches this level of public awareness, unpleasant reactions often begin to happen.
At a Tennessee college, there was a hate crime beating of a Pagan student. Windwalker of LLL has provided support to the student and the Pagan student group he is part of. The local police are investigating this crime.
In Wisconsin issues surrounding the wearing of pentagrams by inmates have emerged. Selena, who has been serving on the Religious Practices Advisory Board for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, has been in dialog with chaplains and administrators about this situation.
Letters are needed from leaders of various Pagan traditions to show prison officials the variety and depth of our practices and groups. Letters can be forwarded to Rev. Patrick McCollum in care of the Lady Liberty League.
There are a variety of reality television shows inviting Witches to apply to show who they are. However, inside information is showing it to not be a healthy thing for our community to participate in these shows. Letters are being written by many organizations and religious leaders nationally to persuade producers to not do these shows.
Continued vigilance for our children in their school settings has been needed in the past year and will persist. Rising tensions regarding church state separation is intensifying the school atmosphere for Pagan teens in particular.
We are seeing a stronger need for press kits and information as more advisors are fielding calls and information from the media on religious freedom issues.
The LLL Annual Meeting concluded with the invoking of Lady Liberty to guide our work and help Pagans in their quest for civil rights and religious freedom.
© 2003, Circle Sanctuary.
LLL Report is published quarterly in CIRCLE Magazine. Click here for Subscription Information.
|