AG BRINGS CIVIL RIGHTS SUIT AGAINST BROTHERS WHO STOLE CROSS FROM LIVERMORE FALLS CHURCH

September 17, 2004

SEPTEMBER 17, 2004

JERRY REID, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, 207-626-8545

 

Attorney General Steven Rowe today announced that his office has filed a civil enforcement action in Androscoggin County Superior Court under the Maine Civil Rights Act against two brothers, Carl Harrington, 21, of Auburn, and Brian Harrington, 19, of Livermore.  The suit alleges that during the night of April 6, 2004, the defendants stole an eight-foot wooden cross from in front of the Eaton Memorial United Methodist Church in Livermore Falls.  The cross had been placed on the lawn in front of the Church as part of the celebration of Christian Holy Week, which culminates in Easter Sunday.  The defendants returned to the Church later that week and attempted to steal a second cross, but were interrupted when Livermore Falls Police arrived at the scene. 

The Maine Civil Rights Act prohibits the intentional interference with the exercise of Constitutional rights, such as the right to religious freedom, through damage or destruction of personal property.

The Attorney General’s complaint seeks a court order barring the defendants from interfering with the First Amendment rights of any member of the Eaton Memorial United Methodist Church, or any other person, through damage or destruction of their personal property.  The order would also prohibit the defendants from entering Church property.

Assistant Attorney General Jerry Reid, who is handling the case for the State, said, “Maine law protects people of all beliefs against intentional acts of interference with the practice of their chosen religion.  The cross is a widely recognized symbol of Christian faith, and our Civil Rights Act protects the congregation’s right to display it without fear of harm to it.”

Attorney General Rowe commended the Livermore Falls Police Department for its investigation of the incident.  The Department referred the case to Rowe’s office for possible action under the Maine Civil Rights Act.

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