ACLU: judge rules against parents in parks lawsuit
PROVIDENCE, R.I.—The Rhode Island American Civil Liberties Union says a federal judge has ruled against parents who sued the city of Pawtucket for what they said favorable treatment of parochial schools.
The ACLU filed the 2009 lawsuit on behalf of parents who said the city was reserving public playing fields for exclusive use by church schools. It announced the decision by Judge Mary Lisi on Friday evening.
The lead plaintiff, Maggi Rogers, said in a statement the decision was "extremely disheartening" and the city should reconsider its practices in a time when tax dollars are stretched.
State director Steven Brown said the ACLU will review the decision and decide the next steps.
The city denied giving preferential treatment to religious schools. One of the schools used an example in the lawsuit said it didn't believe it got special treatment.
