Lancaster keeps the faith and the invocation policy
Court allows prayer to remain unchanged
LANCASTER, Calif.—The city of Lancaster came out victorious in a lawsuit recently filed by two residents who alleged religious persecution.
The partly suit grew out statement by Mayor R. Rex Parris to pastors in the A.V. that Lancaster is a “growing Christian community.” A public outcry against the official and the city ensued.
In hand with the controversy, a ballot measure was passed by the citizens of the city, keeping invocation as a part of regular City Council meetings. However, some were not in agreement and believed it to be an injustice.
In response, Shelley Rubin and Maureen Feller filed a lawsuit.
But the United States District Court, Central District of California, on Monday, ruled in favor of the city. The plaintiffs had called into question the validity of the Lancaster’s recently introduced invocation policy.
According to a statement released by the city Tuesday, during the trial the plaintiffs specifically challenged the invocation, which opened the April 27, 2010, Council meeting with a reference to Jesus Christ.
U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer concluded: “The Court having conducted a trial of this case, having reviewed the evidence submitted by the parties, and having issued its Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law After Court Trial, it is ordered, adjudged and decreed that judgment be entered against Plaintiffs [Rubin and Feller] and in favor of Defendant [City of Lancaster], that the Plaintiffs take nothing, and the Defendant recover its costs of suit pursuant to a bill of costs….”
“The City of Lancaster takes immense pride in winning this case and defending the fundamental right to pray, not only for our citizens, but indeed for all people across this nation,” said Parris.
In regard to the invocation policy, the Lancaster city clerk compiles and maintains a database of religious congregations with an established presence in the city. The city clerk does not inquire into the faith, denomination, or other religious belief of a congregation included on the list, or that asks to be included on the list.
On Nov. 10, 2009, the Council further decided to submit to city voters a ballot measure (Measure “I”) which asked: “In response to a recent complaint, with respect to the invocations that contained reference to Jesus Christ, shall the City Council continue its invocation policy in randomly selecting local clergy of different faiths to deliver the invocation without restricting the content based on their beliefs, including references to Jesus Christ?”
During the April 13, 2010, general municipal election, Measure I passed by a more than 3-1 margin; with 9,765 in favor and 3,116 in opposition.
“Go touch three people and tell ‘em ‘God can.’” the preacher says on Sunday mornings in a congregation full of God fearing, hand clapping, tongue talking, praise dancing women. Children in the pew watch as Mother So-and-So and Sister Shout compete for the “who can pray the best” title for the week. But in the same instance, the two competitors kneel together, in spiritual arms against wicked and unseen forces.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A state appellate court panel is set next month to hear arguments in the case of an ex-security guard convicted of murdering an 18-year-old woman in a Palmdale park-and-ride lot, where he worked more than a decade ago.
On Oct. 27, the three-justice panel from the 2nd District Court of Appeal is set to consider an appeal filed on behalf of Raymond Lee Jennings, who was convicted in December 2009 of second-degree murder for the Feb. 22, 2000, slaying of Antelope Valley College student Michelle O’Keefe.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors went behind closed doors today to discuss funding for investigations into Section 8 housing fraud in Lancaster and Palmdale amid allegations of racial discrimination.
The county stopped funding for the probes in June, instituting a 90-day moratorium when allegations of racism were raised.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Los Angeles is America’s second-worst driving city when it comes to frequency of vehicle crashes, according to Allstate Insurance Co.’s annual Best Driver’s Report released today.
Los Angeles drivers as a whole average a crash every 6.6 years, a figure that nationally trails only Philadelphia drivers at 6.5 years, according to Allstate.
LANCASTER, Calif.—A Lancaster 18-year-old wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a 22-month-old boy and his uncle in South Los Angeles was arrested by federal marshals today.
Jaquain Smith was taken to the ground by federal marshals when he tried to run away from his Lancaster home, the Los Angeles Times reported. The location of the Lancaster residence and time of arrest were unknown.
