Groups pledge to help defend Virginia city’s customary prayer at public meetings

05.08.09, CNA (US). Following complaints from a Wisconsin-based atheist group against a Virginia city that opens public meetings with prayer, the Alliance Defense Fund and the Family Foundation of Virginia have offered to provide pro bono legal assistance if the city adopts a prayer policy that is challenged in court. The 14,000-member Freedom From Religion Foundation had sent letters of complaint to the city of Chesapeake, Virginia because of what the group called its “illegal practice” of routine opening prayers at its public meetings. ADF Senior Legal Council Mike Johnson, speaking in a press release announcing the pro bono aid, defended prayer in public meetings. Johnson also characterized the atheist group’s complaints as “threats.”