Wisconsin man sues city, says library violated religious group's rights

The Associated Press

06.16.99

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MILWAUKEE — A man has sued the city of West Allis, claiming it violated his free speech rights by denying him use of a library room because of possible religious content in the meeting he planned.

Christopher Pfeifer, of West Allis, represented by the Liberty Counsel, a conservative religious group based in Florida, filed the lawsuit in federal court in Milwaukee on June 11.

Pfeifer is president of the Genesis Commission, a nonprofit group designed to educate the public on creation science and evolution, according to the lawsuit.

Pfeifer had planned to use the "Constitution Room" in the public library for a meeting today to discuss evolution and creation science. However, the city denied his request because the content of his presentation might include religious discussion, Pfeifer said.

The city's actions violated the First and 14th Amendments, the Liberty Counsel argued in its complaint before the federal court.

"The bedrock principle underlining the constitution is that government can not discriminate against speech, including religious or political speech, because it disagrees with the content of the message," Mat Staver, lead attorney for the Liberty Counsel, said in a prepared statement.

The group seeks an injunction to allow Pfeifer to conduct the meeting and as well costs of the case and any other relief that the court sees fit.

Thomas Cullen, assistant city attorney in West Allis, said he had no immediate comment on the lawsuit.