Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

Above, Rienzi Mayor Walter Williams (center) addresses a crowd at a Christian flag rally.

April 2017 – Rienzi, Mississippi, a town with a population of 400, is being threatened with a $500,000 lawsuit after a Christian flag was seen flying from a veteran’s memorial.

The lawsuit was threatened by Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation, a small atheist organization that sends intimidating letters upon citing public displays of Christian faith. To avoid the costs associated with a lawsuit, many towns, counties, and school boards capitulate to the group’s demands.

Rienzi Mayor Walter Williams removed the flag upon receiving the threat. “It wasn’t because I wanted to,” he told a local TV news station. It was out of concern, he said, for “putting the town in jeopardy over me making a decision.”

The community has, in turn, rallied behind Williams. Hundreds gathered at Veterans Memorial Park to protest the atheist group and defend the flag display. “We are a Christian nation,” protest organizer Kevin Nelms said at the rally. “This is a Christian flag. You take one down, we’re going to put several back up. I promise you that.”

Williams said the flag would eventually go back up and has hired an attorney to pursue legal recourse.

onenewsnow, 2/8/17