Thursday, August 28, 2008

Flagrant violations of the Constitution

The Wichita City Council and the Wichita Police Department have conspired together to violate the Kansas and Federal Constitution. In a faux attempt to combat neighborhood graffiti the Council has slapped itself on the back by approving religious graffiti despite full knowledge of its illegality.

Graffiti is a problem in my neighborhood with annoying tagging on street signs, houses, and fences. In an effort to combat graffiti on utility poles a local artist was enlisted to paint a mural of Jesus Christ on one of the poles. The Wichita Police Department, while on the public dole, aided in this process although the entire event was claimed to be free of taxpayer support. Not like that is really necessary since the Council approved of a religious theme despite numerous court ruling prohibiting the endorsement of religion by a government body.

Not only is the act a violation of the First Amendment to the Federal Constitution prohibiting promotion of religion, it is a violation of the 7th Amendment to the Kansas Bill of Rights which clearly states: nor shall any person be compelled to attend or support any form of worship; nor shall any control of or interference with the rights of conscience be permitted, nor any preference be given by law to any religious establishment or mode of worship.

So where does one go to complain about a crime committed by the local government and the police department? I've contacted the Freedom From Religion Foundation and plan on contacting the American Civil Liberties Union with the hope of establishing a lawsuit which will sue for the removal of the government endorsed religious graffiti. The city should have been aware that such a blatant disregard for the Constitutions would result in a costly lawsuit, but seeing that they are more than happy to toss taxpayer money away to movie theaters, arenas and private airline companies, I doubt they really care.

Freedom From Religion Foundation

American Civil Liberties Union

No comments: