McGregor Park on Riverside Drive is already lit up with hundreds of lights as part of the many holiday activities scheduled to take place there this December. On Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 12, the Grace Church of the Nazarene plans to present their “Christmas on the Cumberland” Nativity scene.

However, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has some objections to the display. The Leaf Chronicle reported the ACLU sent a letter Wednesday, Nov. 11, to city attorney, Lance Baker, claiming the display, allegedly co-sponsored by the city, is a violation of the First Amendment.

The letter sites that, according to information the ACLU obtained, the annual Nativity display is “jointly sponsored by the city and Grace Church of Nazarene.” It also states such sponsorship shows favoritism toward Grace Church and endorses Christianity. It is this endorsement for Christianity the ACLU claim, violates the First Amendment.

The letter also included the ACLU had information that showed the city of Clarksville paid $200 for animals in the Grace Church’s Nativity scene last year, a violation of the Establishment Clause. The ACLU included in the letter what they wanted done about the situation.

“We are not asking the city of Clarksville to do away with the ‘Christmas on the Cumberland’ celebration altogether. However, the city of Clarksville must have an equal access policy for participation in ‘Christmas on the Cumberland’ to all religious and non-religious groups, must include appropriate disclaimers so that the city’s non-endorsement is clear and must provide funding to create or maintain such a religious display.”

The letter called for a response no later than Tuesday, Nov. 24, and was signed by ACLU staff attorney Tricia Herzfeld.

It was later reported Mayor Johnny Piper responded to the ACLU allegations. Piper said the city spent the money two years ago instead of last year as the letter claimed and the spending was not out of the ordinary.

“My response is that we believe that we are factually correct on our position on this,” Piper said. “We don’t believe we’ve violated anyone’s constitutional rights.”

Regarding the letter’s accusation of showing favoritism to Grace Church, it was also reported city communications director Christie Hill said no other religious group has requested space.

Supreme Court precedents have been cited to support both sides. Students at APSU said they aren’t particularly bothered by the Nativity scene.

Undecided freshman Anna Walla and freshman chemistry major Daniel Grozer said if the church wants to display a Nativity scene, it is no big deal.

“I think they (ACLU) do have a point if they’re doing it because of the money,” Grozer said.

“I don’t think [it] is a big deal if they want to showcase their religion.”

Both freshmen also said they have no problem with the city endorsing Christianity.

Since Piper’s response, it has been reported city attorney Baker issued a letter responding to the ACLU’s accusations as well.

In this letter Baker said, “The appropriate officials have been advised by me that this action was inappropriate under the law.”

It also said, “the city will not provide funding to any persons or groups in the future.”

However, it was also reported Baker thought the city had paid the church $200 directly when he wrote the letter. He later found the city paid a vendor for donkey rental.

Baker said this makes a difference regarding legality, but the city’s position has not changed.

As of press time Monday, Nov. 30, there was no additional response from the ACLU reported. The Nativity scene is still scheduled to be displayed Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 12.

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