Chicago Judge Allows Prayer at Memorial Ceremony

September 11, 2002

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=16939

On September 11, 2002 The Associated Press reported that "a federal judge... refused to halt the planned reading of a prayer at Mayor Richard M. Daley's public gathering... to remember the terrorist attacks of last Sept. 11, rejecting an atheist's claim that the prayer is unconstitutional. 'These religious aspects, however, occur separately and apart from any governmental action,' [U.S. District Judge Charles R. Norgle Sr.] said. He noted the prayer has been written by religious leaders, not the city, and the ceremony is privately funded."