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Religious Groups Plan Elaborate Post-Inauguration Demonstrations

By Howard M. Friedman

Religious groups of various sorts are planning demonstrations in the days following the presidential inauguration. Diverse Issues In Higher Education on Friday reported that Christian, Jewish and Muslim clerics will join with immigrant right groups on the day after the inauguration to demonstrate for immigration reform. They expect 500 to attend the demonstration that will include a ritual cleansing of the national Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters. The ceremony will be based on African and Native American rituals that include "pouring of libations."

Meanwhile Christian pro-life activists want to demonstrate in front of the White House on January 24. A press release today from the Christian Defense Coalition says that Metropolitan Police refuse to permit the demonstrators to use "sidewalk chalk" to leave a display on the sidewalks adjacent to the White House. A letter (full text) from the DC Metropolitan Police included only a narrow demonstration permit, saying that use of sidewalk art would amount to illegal defacement of public property. In a response (full text), the American Center for Law & Justice threatened to sue if officials did not change their position.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on January 11, 2009 (boomark / email).