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The AU press release is on-line:
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle/13Nov06LawsuitRelease.htm
Americans United is representing Circle Sanctuary and two of its members who are widows of two combat war veterans: Roberta Stewart, whose husband, Sgt. Patrick Stewart, was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2005, and Karen DePolito, whose husband, Jerome Birnbaum, is a veteran of the Korean War and who died a year ago. Also being represented by AU in this litigation is the Isis Invicta Military Mission, a Wiccan and Pagan congregation serving military personnel.
The filing of the litigation was announced this afternoon at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., by the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director; Roberta Stewart; the Rev. Selena Fox, Circle Sanctuary's senior minister and high priestess; and Americans United Assistant Legal Director Richard Katskee.
The press conference was carried live on CNN pipeline on the internet:
http://www.cnn.com
AU filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin and another in the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Attorneys for Americans United argued in legal papers that it makes no sense for the Wiccans religious emblem to be excluded. The US Army and other branches of the US Armed Forces allow Wiccan soldiers to list their faith on dog tags, Wiccan organizations are allowed to hold services on military installations and the Army Chaplains Handbook includes an explanation of the religion.
At 7:10 pm Central Time tonight, Rev. Selena Fox and Roberta Stewart will do a short interview on "The Chris Duel Show" broadcast on radio KTSA, 550 am, out of San Antonio Texas. There will be live streaming audio for those wishing to tune in from throughout the United States and elsewhere should go to www.ktsa.com. The show host is already taking calls about the topic.
At present this story is the third most popular story on the CNN Top Story page. We invite you to spread the news with others of all faiths and continue to stay tuned as this story develops.
The Associated Press, Stars and Stripes, Marine Times, and more than one hundred media sources in the USA and several other countries have news about this story on their websites. More coverage will be happening tonight and later this week.
For more info about the Veteran Pentacle Quest:
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle
HOW TO HELP
Please continue to send spiritual support for success in this Quest.
Please view various media coverage on-line and add supportive comments.
Please spread the word -- encourage others to view media and speak out on behalf of Wiccan and Pagan rights for veterans and their families.
Thanks!
Circle Times: Monday, November 13, 2006