Visit the Photo Place

(Richmond-AP) -- Free-speech advocates are warning today that they will file a federal lawsuit if officials at a Fredericksburg park block a baptism planned for this weekend in the Rappahannock River.

Kent Willis, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, said he has prepared a temporary restraining order against the park if officials try to interfere with an Episcopal pastor's plans to hold a baptism there on Sunday.

Officials at Falmouth Waterfront Park just outside Fredericksburg asked a group of Baptists to leave the park last month following the baptism of 12 new church members in the river.

Brian Robinson, head of the Fredericksburg-Stafford Park Authority, said the group needed a special permit to use the river. But church members said nobody else using the river that day was asked to leave.

The Reverend John Reid, pastor of New Generation Evangelical Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg, says he's been planning Sunday's baptism for six month and plans to go through with it, despite the park's recent action.

Robinson says he has NOT gotten a permit from Reid for Sunday's baptism, but says he will likely allow it.

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Date published: 6/3/2004

Comments guidelines

1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
2. Please avoid offensive, vulgar, abusive, hateful or defamatory language.
3. Read and follow THE RULES.
4. We will block violaters and ban repeat offenders.