First Christmas, Then Easter: ACLJ Uncovers Pattern of Christian Targeting

Another resident of Brighton has come forward with new information that demonstrates a very disturbing pattern of intentional discrimination against Christian speech and expression by a town in New York.

Back in July, the ACLJ filed suit on behalf of Dr. Gennaro Polverino against the Town of Brighton, New York, after town officials refused, year after year, to let him put up a Nativity scene in the town square during the Christmas season. Our argument was straightforward: The town lets other groups put up religious displays there every year, including a Ramadan banner, so it can’t turn around and say no to a Nativity scene just because it’s Christian.

Now we’ve expanded that fight. We’ve amended the complaint to add a second client, Jesse Siegfried, a Brighton resident of more than 13 years who wanted to put up a simple banner for Easter reading, “Happy Easter, He Is Risen.” Jesse ran into the exact same brick wall as Dr. Polverino – and we’re now standing with him too.

Here’s why the town’s position doesn’t hold up. Twelve Corners town square isn’t a neutral, empty space. Every December, a Menorah goes up there, with a sign attached to it indicating the town didn’t sponsor it. A Ramadan banner has also gone up for display. We even found photos of the Town Supervisor, William Moehle, showing up at the Menorah lighting to speak. The square is clearly a place where the town welcomes private religious displays – just not, it seems, Christian ones.

When Dr. Polverino asked to put up his Nativity scene, and when Mr. Siegfried later asked about his Easter banner, both men got the same runaround from town officials. Phone calls went unreturned. A certified letter went unanswered. Nobody would meet with them in person. The town never handed either of them so much as an application form or a written explanation of the rules. This went on for more than two Christmas seasons for Dr. Polverino, and it happened again this year when Mr. Siegfried tried for Easter.

So the track record of discrimination grows. Two different town residents, asking about two different Christian holidays, months apart, and getting the identical silent treatment. We intend to show the court this isn’t a coincidence. It’s a pattern.

Our amended complaint asks the same question we asked on Day One: If Brighton’s town square is open enough for a Menorah and a Ramadan banner, how can it possibly be closed to a Nativity scene and an Easter banner?

At the ACLJ, we’re committed to making sure that this Christmas and next Easter, Dr. Polverino and Mr. Siegfried are finally treated equally – and we won’t let the town’s silence be the last word.

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