Supreme Court Sides With Offended Atheists in Lawsuit Against Florida City Over Prayer Vigil
The Supreme Court sided with atheists on March 6 when it decided not to hear an appeal by a Florida city that sought to halt a lawsuit over a city-sponsored prayer vigil.
Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas objected to the court’s decision to deny the petition in City of Ocala, Florida v. Rojas, court file 22-278. The court majority didn’t explain why it denied the petition.
The refusal comes despite the fact that the high court has become increasingly protective in recent years of constitutionally based religious freedoms.
The case dates to 2014, when Ocala held a public vigil after drive-by shootings in which young children were injured. Community leaders suggested that a prayer vigil be conducted to promote public healing, and the local chief of police encouraged residents to attend….