ACLU Offers to Back Falwell Legal Effort
The American Civil Liberties Union has offered to support the Rev. Jerry Falwell--usually a foe--in his challenge to Virginia laws restricting ownership of church property.
Despite their frequent opposing positions on issues, Falwell’s son welcomed the offer.
Jerry Falwell Jr., one of the lawyers representing his father in the case, said he hopes that other groups, especially churches, will also come forward.
The ACLU offered to file a friend-of-the-court brief in Falwell’s federal suit against the state and the city of Lynchburg. The suit challenges state laws prohibiting churches from owning more than 15 acres in a city and 250 acres in a county. Falwell filed the suit in connection with plans to build a new sanctuary at his Thomas Road Baptist Church.
“We agree with your position that such laws discriminate against religion in both purpose and effect,” wrote Rebecca Glenberg, legal director of the ACLU.
A longtime critic of the organization, Falwell included it among groups he initially held partly responsible for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He later apologized for his remarks.
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