Louisiana Youth Group Not Allowed to Perform Nativity at Library, Moves Show to Main Street
Youth in a small town in Louisiana are singing the holiday blues after a library told them that they would not be able to perform the nativity that they have practiced.
The youth from the First Assembly of God in North Webster Parish were told that they were not allowed to conduct a performance “because they couldn’t have anything with a religious tone or message,” according to the Associated Press.
Letha Dew, chairperson of the "Springhill Annual Christmas Celebration," told Fox News she was disappointed.
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“But this is the time we live in and public entities have to be very careful. They are scrutinized. People threaten to sue over every little thing and they have to do what they can to keep themselves out of trouble,” said Dew.
However, the church youth group is not letting the setback dampen their spirits.
They have already found a new place for their performance. They will perform at the end of main street in the center of town along with the other groups performing for the holiday, including other church, choir and hand-bell groups.
Trying to explain the aim of the church youth group, Dew said: "It just was going to be kids with a manger. It's Christmas, and we were trying to cover every aspect of Christmas from Santa Claus to the night before Christmas to the nativity," reported by Fox News.
Beverly Hammett, director of the Webster Parish Library System, said she was awaiting legal advice before she would release a statement.
According to the Shreveport Times, Assistant District Attorney Patrick Jackson said he is aware questions have been raised, but he had not discussed the matter with Hammett to know her position.
