A federal appeals court heard oral argument about whether a large cross on public property in Florida violates religious freedom. Americans United and allies had filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case, urging the court to affirm that governmental display of the cross is unconstitutional.

Americans United and our allies urged a federal appeals court to affirm that nontheists should be allowed to give invocations at the public meetings of the Brevard County, Fla., Board of County Commissioners.

“No one should be excluded from civic affairs because they do not believe in God. Prohibiting nonbelievers from solemnizing governmental meetings is religious discrimination, plain and simple," said AU Associate Legal Director Alex J. Luchenitser.