30th Anniversary of Nativity Unveiling in Daley Plaza, with Archbishop Blase Cupich

Co-Sponsored by Daley Plaza Nativity Scene Committee and Thomas More Society

WHAT: 30th Anniversary of Nativity Unveiling in Daley Plaza, with special guest Archbishop Blase Cupich

WHEN: Saturday, November 29, 2014, 9:45-11:45am

WHERE: Richard J. Daley Center Plaza (50 W. Washington St., Chicago). Map here.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

9:45 –    Introduction of speakers, including Tom Brejcha, Thomas More Society President and Chief Counsel, and Pastor Larry Rogers of Israel Methodist Church

10:30 – Christmas Carols led by choir from Saint George’s in Tinley Park

11:00 – Archbishop Cupich’s address and blessing of nativity scene, children bring Baby Jesus to the manger

DETAILS:

This year, Thomas More Society and Daley Plaza Nativity Scene Committee celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Nativity Scene in Chicago’s Daley Plaza. The nativity scene represents classic free speech and free exercise of faith by private citizens in the public square, but it has not gone up without controversy.

“The First Amendment protects religious speech, equally as political speech,” said Tom Brejcha, Thomas More Society President and Chief Counsel. “If you can get up on your soapbox and plead for a candidate or point of view in a public forum such as Daley Plaza, then equally you may get on the soapbox and proclaim the joyous, hopeful message of the Christ Child!”

Thirty years ago, a lawsuit had to be filed to protect the Nativity Scene (and to prevent physical destruction of the statues) on Daley Plaza, when city and county officials nearly shut down Christians’ expression of their faith in that traditional public forum. However, the free speech rights of Christians to proclaim their faith in public prevailed when the late Chief U.S. District Judge James B. Parsons enjoined the authorities from discriminating against religious expression on Daley Plaza where political rallies were regularly held.

“Government is neither censor nor endorser of such religious speech,” added Brejcha. “The Daley Plaza nativity display is privately funded and sponsored, bereft of any government aid or endorsement, and therefore it is clothed and armored with the full protection of the First Amendment of our U.S. Constitution.”

Thomas More Society provides legal counsel for the Daley Plaza Nativity Scene Committee (organized by Jim Finnegan, Terry Hodges, and Ed O’Malley) and the American Nativity Scene Committee, placing nativity scenes in public places in twenty-one different States. Thomas More Society is co-sponsoring nativity displays in the State Capitol buildings of Illinois, Florida, Georgia, Rhode Island, and Texas.

“We are very pleased to be celebrating the thirtieth year of the nativity scene in Daley Plaza,” said Jim Finnegan of the American Nativity Scene Committee. “We are especially grateful that our new Archbishop, Blase Cupich, will be joining us. A joyous Christmas to all!”