A senior citizen home in Michigan has come under fire after allegedly prohibiting two of its residents from explaining to visiting children the religious meaning of Christmas.
On Thursday the First Liberty Institute law firm issued a letter to the Kalkaska Memorial Assisted Living Center on behalf of two seniors, Wilma Wells and Joan Wilson, accusing staff of the center's preschool and readiness program of "religious discrimination."
The issue stems from an incident in December during which students of the Center’s Child Development Center and Preschool visited the senior living center. The residents were given the opportunity to read Christmas-themed stories to the children. However, when Wells asked the children if they knew why Christmas was celebrated, an unnamed teacher abruptly silenced her, according to the letter.
Wilson had a similar experience when she attempted to summarize “A Charlie Brown Christmas” to the children and was interrupted by a teacher who allegedly escorted the children out.
Citing the 14th Amendment, Michael Berry of First Liberty said the Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, which operates the senior home and the preschool, was violating the right to free speech, including religious free speech. He further stated that the censorship was a form of "unlawful discrimination" against the seniors.
Keisha Russell, associate counsel for First Liberty, referred to the center as "a government Grinch crushing the spirit of Christmas," according to The Christian Post.
"Our clients were simply exercising their constitutionally protected rights by reading a much beloved Christmas story to children when they were silenced," Russell said. "KMHC needs to ensure that the rights of its residents are protected and issue an apology."
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