Nonsectarian Council Invocations O.K. Under California Constitution

According to the Eureka (CA) Times-Standard, a California state Superior Court judge has rejected a broad facial state constitutional challenge to all prayers at city council meetings.  In Beaton v. City of Eureka, (Humboldt Cty. Super. Ct., Dec. 24, 2013) the court held that the city's policy allowing voluntary, nonsectarian invocations does not violate the California Constitution. However, the court held that plaintiff may challenge particular invocations as violations of the Establishment, No Preference or No Aid clause of the California Constitution.