Norwalk, CT, Discriminates Against Boy Scouts
(See news stories below -- updated daily)
September 21, 2004: A request for a city permit to use a city park has turned into a potential legal battle with the city of Norwalk , CT.
On September 15, a local Cub Scoutmaster asked for a permit to use a Shady Beach Park for a campfire and recruitment event. But members of the Common Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee denied the permit and referred the request to the full Common Council.
Should the full Common Council’s refuse to issue the permit, it would be violating the Scouts First Amendment rights. Norwalk and city officials ultimately could face damages and attorneys’ fees should the matter go to court.
The constitutional issues are clear in this case. Shady Beach Park is a public forum and under the law attempts to restrict access to it on the basis of the Boy Scouts viewpoint and membership policies would be unconstitutional. The Scouts have the same constitutional rights to use the park as any other group. Boy Scouts has won other court cases when public facilities were denied. In Broward County, FL, the Public School District denied local Scouts use of public facilities. A federal court issued an injunction against the school board. Later the school board agreed to let the Scouts use the facilities and paid almost $200,000 in the Scouts attorneys’ fees.
To read news articles about the Norwalk case, see below
|
Home
