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County Judge Unsure Of Response After Nativity Scene Ruling

baxter county nativity
americanhumanist.org

Baxter County Judge Mickey Pendergrass says he's not sure yet what the county will do now that a federal judge has ruled a Nativity scene on the courthouse lawn violates the Constitution.

Judge Timothy Brooks ruled Thursday that the county must either stop placing any religious seasonal displays on the property or create a public forum allowing displays by all religions and viewpoints including non-religion.

Pendergrass told The Baxter Bulletin on Friday that no decision has been made on which option to follow. He says the county has 14 days to make a decision.

The American Humanist Association and Mountain Home resident Dessa Blackthorn filed the lawsuit last December after Pendergrass denied at requests to place a "Happy Winter Solstice" banner on the lawn along with the Nativity scene.

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