NDR Media Coverage

Officials Refuse Atheists' Request

by Jannell McGrew

State lawmakers aren't the only ones giving the cold shoulder to an Alabama atheist organization's request that they sponsor a "rainy day" location for an event on May 6, the same day as the National Day of Prayer.

Gov. Bob Riley, Alabama Attorney General Troy King, State Auditor Beth Chapman and State Treasurer Kay Ivey also have rejected the Atheist Law Center's request. The group sought official sponsorship to obtain an indoor location for its "Rally for Reason & Picnic on the Capitol Lawn."

The atheists' gathering falls on the same day as the official observance of the National Day of Prayer -- a time when state, local officials and residents gather to pray for the welfare of the nation, members of the military, families and political leaders entrusted with the duty to serve.

Larry Darby, an attorney and president of the Montgomery-based Atheist Law Center, said the multiple rejections deny his group equal treatment and access to facilities that are meant for public use.

"This whole business of trying to get space in the state Capitol has been quite enlightening," Darby said Wednesday afternoon. "It shows just how far apart our government leaders are from what our government is supposed to be like."

The recent rejections come just weeks after state Rep. Jay Love, R-Montgomery, and Sens. Larry Dixon, R-Montgomery, and Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, also denied Darby's requests.

The atheist leader later decided to continue shopping for a sponsor, but to no avail.

Figures is sponsoring the rainy day location -- the Capitol auditorium -- for the National Day of Prayer event next week.

Darby said the group wanted to use the old Archives Chamber in the event of inclement weather.

In response to a letter Darby wrote to Riley requesting sponsorship, the governor's chief of staff, Toby Roth, replied on Riley's behalf.

"In accordance with policy, the Capitol grounds are available for public events, such as the one you will host," Roth wrote in an April 20 letter to Darby. "However, the availability of the Capitol's interior spaces is limited and discretionary in order to preserve the building's historical integrity for many years to come. In keeping with the policies of the Alabama Historical Commission, your request for sponsorship is denied."

Darby said he's appalled by the reason used by the governor's office, adding that his group is contemplating filing a federal lawsuit.

"I was rather insulted by his use of preserving the historical integrity," Darby said. "He refused us because he thinks atheists being in the building would somehow disturb the integrity of the building. That's the way I perceived it."

Jeff Emerson, Riley's communications director, said the governor has the discretion to accept or decline a sponsorship request.

"This is consistent with the policies set forth by the Alabama Historical Commission," he said. "While the state Capitol is certainly open for everyone to visit, it is not available for every organization to use one of its rooms."

Organizations are allowed to hold gatherings outside on Capitol grounds, but in order for groups or individuals to hold an event inside the Capitol, they must have a state sponsor, such as a legislator or a department head or the governor.

In her response to Darby, Chapman said that her faith would not allow her to sponsor the location.

"While I work for you because you are a taxpaying citizen, I simply cannot and will not as state auditor 'sponsor' your Atheist Law Center event as you have requested," she wrote. "It is my strong belief in God and my relationship with Jesus Christ, which I cannot compromise (personally or professionally) in order to 'sponsor' an event for those who oppose and deny God."

The state auditor stood by her statements Wednesday.

"First and foremost, I'm a Christian," she said. "I looked up the word 'sponsor,' and that word, according to my dictionary, means one who vouches or assumes responsibility for a person or thing. Because of my belief in God and my relationship with Jesus Christ, I cannot sponsor an event that goes against everything I am and believe."

King, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday, responded in a two-sentence letter to Darby.

"I am sure you understand that I cannot, in good conscience, comply with your request," he wrote.

In a brief, written response to Darby, Ivey thanked the atheist leader for his request but said: "I operate the state treasurer's office using the motto on our currency, 'In God We Trust.' Therefore, I will not be able to sponsor an event on behalf of the Atheist Law Center."

Dixon has said that while he would sponsor the indoor location for Darby and his group on a different day, he was "not going to help him protest the National Day of Prayer."

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