ACLJ Secures Equal Access for Religious Speech in Scottsdale, AZ - City Agrees to End Discriminatory Action

(Phoenix, AZ) The American Center for Law and Justice, an international public interest law firm, announced today it has reached an agreement with the City of Scottsdale, Arizona clearing the way for the display and distribution of religious materials at its city-owned and operated buildings and facilities. The settlement agreement guarantees that religious speakers and organizations will be treated the same as other members of the public by the City of Scottsdale.
We are delighted that the City of Scottsdale has decided to change the way it views religious speech and religious organizations, said Stuart J. Roth, Senior Counsel of the ACLJ, which filed suit against the city. The law is very clear and while we had to file suit to secure equal access, we are pleased the city has now agreed to treat religious speakers and organizations in the same manner as other members of the public. This settlement agreement represents a victory for religious speech and for the First Amendment.

The ACLJ filed suit in May 2001 in U.S. District Court in Phoenix on behalf of Constance Tuchman who operates a bible study group in Scottsdale called Heart to Heart Fellowship a bible study for women that addresses topics from a religious perspective including families, relationships, health and fitness, finances, and spirituality.

The suit contended that while Tuchman was permitted to display literature and advertise meetings at one of the city-owned and managed Citizen Service Centers for three years, that permission was revoked in October 2000 when Tuchman was told that she would no longer be able to display her organizations materials because of its religious content and specifically because the materials contained the word Christian. The complaint contended that the city permitted other organizations to continue to display materials in the service centers.

In a settlement agreement signed by both parties and accepted by the court today, the city agrees that Tuchman and all other religious speakers and organizations will be treated the same as other members of the public in all respects . . . including access to Common Areas to display printed material that contains religious speech or advertise events containing religious speech, such as religious instruction, services, activities, and worship.

Under the settlement agreement, the ACLJ agrees to dismiss the lawsuit brought against the city.

The American Center for Law and Justice is an international public interest law firm and educational organization that focuses on constitutional law and focuses on religious liberty work. The ACLJ is based in Virginia Beach, VA and its web site address is www.aclj.org.