Denton, TX- Today, Reverend Nathan Wesson and the Collegiate Community Outreach (CCO) is suing the City of Denton and its public officials for misusing zoning laws to bar the ministry from operating on its current property. CCO, represented by Liberty Legal Institute and the international firm of Jones Day, is claiming its First Amendment freedoms have been violated.
“Why is the city picking on this ministry, which simply wants to serve the University of North Texas campus and help students make healthy choices for their lives such as avoiding alcohol and drugs?” said Hiram Sasser, Director of Litigation for Liberty Legal Institute.
Reverend Wesson is the Director of CCO, a religious ministry whose goal is to encourage and develop students through Christian service, Bible study and outreach work. In March 2006, CCO began operating in its ministry house on West Oak in Denton, in a neighborhood residential area close to the University of North Texas Campus.
“This location is ideal for a campus ministry that wants to help students and provide a safe and stable atmosphere. Requiring CCO to move would be an undue hardship on the ministry,” said Attorney David Schenck of Jones Day.
Legal troubles began when the City cited the ministry for displaying a sign outside the building. Reverend Wesson sought to resolve any problem, but despite the fact that Denton Planning and Zoning Commission staff endorsed allowing CCO to remain on the West Oak property, the City of Denton has required them to shut down and move location.
“The city’s own planning staff recommended that this ministry be allowed to exist at its present location and the ministry is fully willing to cooperate with the city’s staff to allow them to comfortably fit within the community,” said Sasser.
The lawsuit is being filed in the Eastern District of Texas, U.S. Federal Court. Plaintiffs are demanding a jury trial.
To set up an interview with any of the attorneys quoted or for more information, please contact Nicole Hay, Director of Media at media@libertylegal.org or 972-423-3131.
Liberty Legal Institute is a legal organization committed to the defense of religious freedoms and First Amendment rights. For more information, visit our website at www.libertylegal.org.