Lynch v. Donnelly
United States Supreme Court
465 U.S. 668 (1984)
Relevant factsFree
Pawtucket's (defendant) annual public Christmas display combined a nativity scene with secular figures like Santa Claus and reindeer, funded by nominal ongoing maintenance costs after the initial public purchase; Donnelly (plaintiff) sued the mayor and city, and the district court and court of appeals held the display's religious component violated the Establishment Clause.
IssueFree
Whether a public display erected in conjunction with a religious holiday violates the First Amendment Establishment Clause.
Related cases
County of Allegheny v. American Civil Liberties Union, Greater Pittsburgh Chapter492 U.S. 573 (1989)Committee for Public Education and Religious Liberty v. Regan444 U.S. 646 (1980)Mitchell v. Helms530 U.S. 793 (2000)Walz v. Tax Commission of City of New York337 U.S. 664 (1970)Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye, Inc. v. City of Hialeah508 U.S. 520 (1993)