City of Scottsdale and The Satanic Temple take the stands in First Amendment-based case
City of Scottsdale and satanic temple group take the stands in First Amendment-based case
The trial between the city of Scottsdale and the satanic temple is underway. Three years ago, the Scottsdale City Council denied a satanic temple member's request to deliver an invocation at its meeting. Now, the satanic temple argues Wednesday in court that its First Amendment right was violated.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - The trial between the city of Scottsdale and The Satanic Temple is underway.
Three years ago, the Scottsdale City Council denied a request by a member of The Satanic Temple to deliver an invocation at its meeting. Now, The Satanic Temple argues Wednesday in court that its First Amendment right was violated.
The group had no ties to the city, which is required to be able to give that invocation. Michelle Short, a group member, was supposed to give that prayer. She was on the stand and claimed several other groups outside of the city were able to give their prayers.
She listed a few churches that did not have addresses within the city limits there.
Short admitted that during cross-examination that she is not a member of the Scottsdale community. She also admitted to never contacting anyone within the city, any representative, about her beliefs and what type of invocation that she was wanting to give.
She argues that she feared for her safety should she have disclosed it prior to the meeting.
Scottsdale City Manager, Jim Thompson, also took the stand, saying that other groups had substantial connections to the city, which is why they were able to say their prayers, and claims the satanic temple group didn't have a substantial connection to the city.
He says others in the past did not live within the city limits at the time, but they did have those strong ties.
The court session will resume Thursday morning.