California City Will Settle Lawsuit By Christian Dance Group

The city of Chula Vista, California has agreed to settle a suit filed last year on behalf of the Jesus Christ Dancers-- a group of six girls who were excluded from performing last year in the city's Holiday Festival even though a Hawaiian prayer dance group was allowed to perform. Subsequently the mayor apologized to the Christian dance group and City Council agreed to permit religious expression at future Holiday Festivals. (See prior posting.) A federal court hearing on the settlement will be held Tuesday. Yesterday's San Diego Union Tribune reports that the settlement provides for the city to pay $31,000 in damages, and to furnish training to police officers and managers on First Amendment rights, particularly the rights of religious persons to express their faith in the public square.