Arkansas Society of Freethinkers

Arkansas Society of Freethinkers

In 2008 our group voted to create a Winter Solstice Holiday Display to counter the nativity scene on the state capital ground. We decided on a four sided display, with each side having a different educational theme, with holiday lights and garland added to give the display a festive appearance. We then contacted the Secretary of State’s Office (SOSO), requesting that we be provided space for our exhibit in the area designated for such exhibits, as the annual nativity scene.

After submission of our request, and many follow-up phone calls, it became apparent that the SOSO was in stone wall mode, hoping we’d go away. We did eventually receive a formal rejection letter, included above. We submitted additional info to the SOSO, after receiving this letter, and asked if we could meet with those responsible for approving such displays, in order to clear up any questions they might have concerning what we had planned. Their response was, “there’s not going to be a meeting”. We decided it would be best to wait until 2009 to try again.

In 2009, we again applied for permission to place our holiday display on the state capitol grounds, and were again denied, as stated in the letter from the SOSO included above. With the help of the ACLU, we took the SOSO to federal court, and won the right to be included on the capitol grounds, near the nativity scene.

You can help support maintenance and upgrades to our display, by clicking the button below, and making a donation. Check our news entries for the latest information on display events.

Donations may also be sent here Arkansas Society of Freethinkers

P.O. Box 4135

Little Rock, AR 72214

Click to read blog of our progress

Click here to see photos.

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Click here to watch us assemble the display at the capitol.