A federal lawsuit has been filed against College President Gene Nichol and the Board of Visitors that seeks the permanent display of the cross in the Wren Chapel and extended hours of operation for the Chapel, including all times when Swem Library is open and all day Sunday.
p. According to the Feb. 10 online edition of The Virginian-Pilot, George Leach, J.D. ’75, filed the complaint in the Norfolk office of the U.S. District court. The lawsuit, which cites the Civil Rights Act, is the most recent action in the nationally escalating Wren Cross controversy.
p. The Pilot reported that the lawsuit says that the new policy of displaying the cross every Sunday and by request violates the freedoms of religion and speech. He also asserts that Nichol was influenced by the American Civil Liberties Union in making his decision.
p. “The building is now sterile and dead,” he wrote, referring to Nichol’s actions as “anti-Christian bigotry.”
p. A search of the Federal courts database indicated that summons had been issued to Nichol and the BOV this Monday. As of press time, The Flat Hat had not obtained a copy of the complaint.
