Thursday's San Diego Union Tribune reports that attempts to head off "Christmas wars" in 2006 are already underway. In Chula Vista, California last week, City Council approved a new policy for the city's Holiday Festival: "The City recognizes that many of the traditions of the holiday season have religious underpinnings, and although the Holiday Festival is secular, no person or group will be denied the opportunity to participate in the Festival based on the religious message conveyed by their performance." Sign-ups will be open first to instructors who teach city Recreation Department classes, local schools and student groups.
Last year, with no policy in place, a city employee had barred The Jesus Christ Dancers-- a group of 8-to 12-year-old girls who perform to Christian-themed music-- from performing at the Festival. The American Family Association had sued the city over the incident in a case that is still pending in federal court. The new policy does not apply to activities outside of the Recreation Department-sponsored Festival, such as the mayor's Christmas tree lighting ceremony and the Downtown Business Association's Yule parade.
