Liberty Counsel
NEWS RELEASE
Contact:
PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT - 800-671-1776
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February
17, 2006
Liberty
Counsel Files Federal Lawsuit to Stop
Deltona's Censorship of Religious Art
Orlando,
FL - Today, Lloyd Marcus, the artist whose paintings were censored
from a Black History Month display, filed a lawsuit in federal district
court against the City of Deltona, Florida. The City failed to reverse
its decision after Liberty Counsel sent a letter to Mayor Dennis Mulder
and acting City Manager/City Attorney, L. Roland Blossom, demanding
that the paintings be reposted in the lobby of City Hall.
The
City of Deltona has allowed City employees and local citizens to display
artwork to celebrate Black History Month. Marcus, a Deltona resident
and President of the Deltona Arts and Historical Center, is a well-known
artist, entertainer and composer. His artwork, which was displayed
temporarily in the lobby of City Hall, was censored by the City after
Mr. Blossom ordered their removal due to their religious viewpoint.
One picture displays a partially covered Bible and church sign. Another
picture depicts a festive New Orleans funeral, and a third shows a
Christmas basket. The paintings are a published series reflecting
Marcus's childhood in his father's Baltimore church. Photographs of
his paintings
are online at www.LC.org.
Although
Marcus's paintings were censored, the City continues to display works
of other local artists that do not contain religious viewpoints. These
works include a charcoal sketch of three famous African-Americans
and a pastel rendering of jazz artist B.B. King.
Mathew
D. Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel, stated:
"The City's act of censorship offends all those who cherish freedom
of speech. Although Mr. Marcus has a long, cordial relationship with
the City of Deltona, he decided to take on the City because he realized
this issue transcends his personal interests and artwork. City officials
should right their wrong, recognize their mistake and repost the paintings.
Religious themes or imagery in artwork depicting black history are
protected by the First Amendment. Indeed, religion is a vital part
of black history."
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Liberty Counsel press conference after filing federal
lawsuit - Marcus v. City of Deltona, Florida
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