Senior Citizens Win in the Suit against City of Balch Springs: Judgment Filed Today

Plano, TX- Members of the Balch Springs’ Senior Center filed an Agreed Judgment today at the federal courthouse in Dallas giving the senior citizens the religious freedoms they requested, as well as money damages. The judgment ends the legal battle over whether seniors may pray in their senior citizens’ center.

“These seniors are heroes. They send a strong message to every other senior citizen center and government official,” said Kelly Shackelford, Chief Counsel with Liberty Legal Institute. “Telling seniors they cannot pray or express themselves religiously is against the law; and if you violate seniors’ religious freedoms, there will be a price to pay.”

The situation began when the senior citizens were told by city officials that they could no longer pray over their meals, sing gospel music, or have inspirational messages from the Bible presented in the senior center because it is a public building. In response, Liberty Legal Institute filed a lawsuit in order to protect the constitutional rights of the seniors and the Department of Justice opened an investigation of the city as well.

“Discriminating against senior citizens is a serious matter,” said Hiram Sasser, Director of Litigation with Liberty Legal Institute. “This case should be a lesson to others about the First Amendment rights of citizens in a public place. Any citizen or senior who has similar trouble should call us. We will represent them free of charge.”