Doc Drop: ACLU Sides With Calvary Christian

The ACLU of Virginia has filed an amicus brief opposing a motion to dismiss a discrimination case against the city of Fredericsburg brought by Calvary Christian Center.

Lawyers for the city of Fredericksburg argued that the church, as a third party, lacks the standing to file a complaint on behalf of the private day school which sought to operate there. The city's argument, boiled down, asserts that the church itself is not harmed by not allowing the day school to operate, only the operators of the day school.

Lawyers for the church disputed that in documents opposing the motion to dismiss, arguing that third parties can bring discrimination suits in a wide variety of circumstances. Their opinion is now backed up by the Virginia branch of the ACLU, arguing that the church has standing because its interests in ministering to the students at the day school have been impeded by the denial of the special use permit.

Lawyers for the city of Fredericksburg filed a motion opposing the ACLU's filing, arguing that the organization lacks standing and neglected to specifically define its interest in the case.

Read full copies of the city's motion to dismiss, the ACLU's amicus brief, and the city's response to that brief in the PDF's attatched to this article.

A pretrial injunction is scheduled for Monday, June 27 at the federal eastern district court in Richmond at 8:30 a.m.