Federal Lawsuit as Police Ban Pro-Life Inaugural Display?

The streets in front of the White House should be open to all views, opinions and thoughts. It should be not be a place of censorship or intimidation.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Christian Newswire) - The Christian Defense Coalition is calling for the D. C. Metropolitan Police Department to lift a ban on pro-life displays in front of the White House by Monday, January 12, or they will file a federal lawsuit.

The Christian Defense Coalition is being represented by The American Center for Law and Justice.

Activists had planned to leave a "sidewalk chalk" display with pro-life messages and artwork for President Obama on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House.The date for this display was Saturday, January 24, 2009.

The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department sent a letter on January 7 saying the activity of the Christian Defense Coalition "...would constitute defacing public property in violation of D.C. Official Code..."

However, for 16 years law enforcement officials in Washington, D.C. have given permission to the Christian Defense Coalition to conduct numerous demonstrations involving "sidewalk chalking."

In a letter to the Metropolitan Police Department, James Henderson, Senior Counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice points out that the City of Washington, D.C. has actually sponsored public sidewalk chalk art displays. Click here to view the letter which shows color pictures of actual D.C. public chalk events.

The Christian Defense Coalition is troubled that the City of Washington, after allowing public chalk display for years, chooses now for the first time to ban sidewalk chalk because it contains a pro-life message and would be displayed in front of the White House.

Will the City of Washington, D.C. now begin to ban free speech that disagrees or is offensive to President Barack Obama?Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, states:

"The foundation of this nation is that every American has the right to peacefully share their views, thoughts and opinions in the public square free from government interference and harassment. It should not matter what the particular content of those views might be.

"Sadly, the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department has chosen to trample and crush the First Amendment by banning clearly protected free speech.

"For over 16 years, law enforcement officials have given permission to the Christian Defense Coalition to use public 'sidewalk chalking' as a part of their demonstrations and vigils in the nation's capital. Washington D.C. has also allowed numerous public 'chalk art displays' throughout the city.

"It is therefore most troubling that for the first time ever law enforcement is choosing to ban this practice when it involves a pro-life display taking place in front of the White House. Is this the future of free speech and political dissent under President Barack Obama?

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"The streets in front of the White House should be open to all views, opinions and thoughts. It should be not be a place of censorship or intimidation. I hope this was not the kind of change President Obama was talking about."

For more information or interviews call: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney at 202.547.1735 Cell: 540.538.4741