Florida County Reverses Ban on Christmas Trees
The County Attorney's Office concluded in revised decision that Christmas trees are a secular symbol and may be displayed after the ACLJ sent a letter clarifying the law.
Officials in Florida’s Pasco County has reversed an earlier decision banning the display of Christmas trees as a religious symbol less than 24 hours after they received a letter from the American Center for Law and Justice asking officials to reverse the ban.
The ACLJ sent a letter to officials Wednesday, citing a 1989 Supreme Court ruling declaring the Christmas tree “is not itself a religious symbol.”
After reviewing ban, Pasco County Attorney’s Office has decided Christmas trees were a secular symbol just Santas, snowflakes, and candy canes. In a press release, the office said it would permit display of Christmas trees as long as it did not stand with religious objects such as a nativity scene.
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‘‘Whether through misunderstanding or miscommunication, the actions and statements of this office ... have been taken to the extreme,’’ wrote Kristi Wooden, an assistant county attorney, in a revised decision.
Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ, said the group was pleased that the county admitted its mistake and reversed its legally flawed decision removing Christmas trees from county facilities.
"The law is very clear about this issue - the display of Christmas trees is constitutional and the county had no legal basis in removing them,” he said Friday in a press release.
“After sending county officials a letter demanding that they reverse their decision, we are pleased to learn the county did the right thing and removed the ban on Christmas trees. Before taking such drastic measures in the future, it would be beneficial for county officials to get a clear and accurate understanding of the law," concluded Sekulow.
The decision to ban the display of Christmas trees came after county attorneys investigated whether a man could display a menorah at a public building.
Wooden said the menorah could be displayed if it was accompanied by a sign reading: “Salute to Liberty. During this holiday season, the (government entity) salutes liberty. Let these festive lights remind us that we are the keepers of the flame of liberty and our legacy of freedom."
Christmas tress that were removed from Pasco County libraries and public buildings have already been directed to be put up immediately, said the County Attorney’s Office.
