Santa Monica Nativity Scene Group Seeks To Delay Proposed Ban
SANTA MONICA (CBS) — Residents will be asked to weigh in at a Santa Monica City Council meeting on Tuesday on a proposed law to ban all winter displays along Ocean Park Boulevard.
KNX 1070's John Brooks reports attorneys for the Santa Monica Nativity Scenes committee are ready to make their case for keeping the 60-year-old Christmas tradition alive.
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The hearing comes after a controversial lottery system last year resulted in signs and banners by atheist groups attacking Christian beliefs and left a full block empty within Palisades Park.
Attorney William Becker has been hired by the committee to broker a compromise that would allow the Christian tradition in the park to continue.
"Religious speech has as much protection in a public square as secular speech," said Becker. "There's been some misinformation out there that the First Amendment prohibits religious speech in the public square...it does not."
The hiring of Becker marks a new direction for the group, who is seeking to delay a vote on the proposal while a new system is developed to make allowances for displays at the park.
The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Santa Monica City Hall.
