A Franklin, Vermont woman is asking a Vermont judge to block a prayer that is used as part of the opening ceremonies on Town Meeting Day. A hearing was to take place this week in Vermont Superior Court on a request by Marilyn Hackett to block the prayers. Hackett, who has retained the services of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), charges that the town and its moderator have violated the Vermont Constitution’s guarantee against being forced to participate in organized religious events and that she is being denied equal access to a public location because of her beliefs. The town, however, says that her rights are not being violated because she does not have to be present for the prayer to participate in Franklin’s Town Meeting Day.
Source: Associated Press (FoxNews.com)