FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 28, 2009
CONTACT:
Brandon Hensler, Director of Communications, (786) 363-2737 or media@aclufl.org
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, which has expressed opposition to the two religious license plates being rammed through the Florida Legislature, issued the following statement today, which can be attributed to Howard Simon, Executive Director:
“It should not require a federal judge to tell the Florida Legislature and Gov. Charlie Crist that there is a difference between ‘In God We Trust’ on our money and the state's endorsement of the symbols of one particular religion.
“It is entirely inappropriate for the state to sponsor and fund the production of license plates depicting the Christ on the Crucifix and another with a cross and a depiction of a church.
“Governor Crist is both a lawyer and a politician.
“As a lawyer, he should know the difference between ‘In God We Trust’ and the state's endorsement, sponsorship and funding of sectarian religious symbols.
“As a politician, it would be a grave mistake to offend members of Florida's minority religious communities as well as those Christians who understand how their faith is protected by separation of church and state and whose faith is strong enough not to need state sponsorship of their religious beliefs.”
The ACLU of Florida is freedom's watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For additional information, visit our web site at: www.aclufl.org.
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