Boston Flew Communist Chinese Flag, But Refused Christian Flag—Case Now Before Supreme Court

The Epoch Times Header

Allowing national flags and flags about historic events, causes, and organizations while refusing to raise a Christian flag outside a city hall is an unconstitutional example of government censorship, a seemingly sympathetic Supreme Court was told on Jan. 18.

The hearing came as the high court has been becoming increasingly protective of religious freedoms since conservatives gained a 6–3 majority on the bench in October 2020, when Justice Amy Coney Barrett replaced the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The case, Shurtleff v. Boston, court file 20-1800, comes from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit.

Petitioner Harold Shurtleff runs Camp Constitution, which offers classes and workshops on U.S. history and the Constitution. Camp Constitution, also a petitioner, was formed “to enhance understanding of the country’s Judeo-Christian heritage, the American heritage of courage and ingenuity, the genius of the United States Constitution, and free enterprise,” according to the petition filed with the court.

Three flagpoles adorn Boston City Hall’s entrance. Atop one flies the U.S. flag, and below it is a flag honoring missing soldiers and prisoners of war. The Massachusetts flag is on a second flagpole. A third flagpole usually flies Boston’s flag, but sometimes flags are hoisted to honor or commemorate causes, individuals, historic events, and foreign countries such as China or Turkey. Sometimes, the tertiary staff hosts flags about military battles, victims of crime, or the LGBTQ community.

But in 2017, Boston refused to let Camp Constitution display a flag containing a Christian cross, claiming it would be a constitutionally impermissible endorsement of Christianity by the city.

The petition states that Boston official Gregory Rooney told the group the city “maintains a policy and practice of respectfully refraining from flying non-secular flags.”

Rooney said the policy was created out of concern for “the so-called separation of church and state or the Constitution’s establishment clause.” He worried that the Camp Constitution flag “was promoting a specific religion” and “didn’t think that it was in the city’s best interest to necessarily have that flag flying above City Hall.”

“His concern was not with the flag itself, but that on the application, it was called a ‘Christian flag.’ Rooney wouldn’t have been concerned if the same flag was called ‘the Camp Constitution flag’ because then ‘it would have been the flag of the organization and not a religious symbol,’” the petition states.

During oral arguments, Mat Staver, founder and chairman of the public interest law firm Liberty Counsel, spoke for the petitioners.

“After 12 years with 284 flag-raising approvals, no denials, and usually no review, one word caught the attention of a Boston official: the word ‘Christian’ on the application,” Staver told the justices.

“The flag itself was not the problem. Had it been called anything but Christian, the same flag would have flown for an hour without incident. … All applicants are welcome, except religious viewpoints.” Boston’s policy “places religion in the same category as speech deemed inappropriate, offensive, supporting prejudice or discrimination.”

Boston has been talking out of both sides of its mouth, Staver argued.

By Matthew Vadum

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

More Proof, the Democratic Party is Imploding!

Jason Pizzo, the leading Democrat in the Florida Senate announced his departure from the Democratic Party saying he sees the party as dead in Florida.

American Psychiatric Association vs. MAHA: Shots Fired

When Trump formed the MAHA Commission, the parameters were so reasonable that it was hard to imagine how the biomedical establishment could object.

Evaluating Foreign Affairs’ Warning About The Risks Of An Emboldened & Remilitarized Germany

Foreign Affairs warned earlier this month that an emboldened...

9 Things to Know About UK Supreme Court Ruling on Sex, Gender

Britain’s highest court has ruled that the words “woman” and “sex” refer to “a biological woman and biological sex,” in a landmark decision.

Chinese Exporters Begin to Feel Pain of Tariffs as Containers Stack Up

China’s exporters are scrambling to find domestic buyers for their consumer goods as orders from the U.S. have dried up during an escalating trade war.

News

ICE Backtracks on Revoking More Than 1,200 Student Visas

ICE reversed decision to automatically revoke student visas, after State Dept said it would use AI to review foreign students’ records for criminal activity or arrests.

Court Ruling Limits Ozempic Copies in Favor of FDA, Novo Nordisk

Federal court ruled against trade group representing compounding pharmacies, siding with FDA and Novo Nordisk in dispute over copies of Ozempic and Wegovy.

Judge Blocks Removal of Potential Deportees From Texas District

Federal judge temporarily restrained Trump admin from removing individuals from Southern District of Texas in attempt to deport Venezuelan gang members under the Alien Enemies Act.

Former Rep. George Santos Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Prison

Former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) was sentenced on April 25 to more than 7 years in federal prison on wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.

FBI Arrests Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan Over Obstructing, Kash Patel Says

FBI arrested a Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, circuit judge for allegedly assisting an illegal immigrant in evading arrest, FBI Director Kash Patel said.

Former New Mexico Judge, Wife Arrested Over Alleged Evidence Tampering

Inmate bookingreports released by Doña Ana County Detention Center show Judge Cano and his wife were arrested for evidence tampering.

Prosecutors File Notice to Seek Death Penalty for Luigi Mangione

Prosecutors filed notice of intent to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in NY in Dec 2024.

Judge Blocks Trump Admin Effort to Remove DEI From Public Schools

Before deadline for states to certify DEI programs have ended in public schools, a federal court halted Trump admin’s requirement, siding with NEA teachers’ union.
spot_img

Related Articles