Ellwood City Residents Support Community's Nativity Display

Hundreds of Ellwood City residents gathered on Friday to support the community’s nativity scene display, which officials said has been a tradition for more than five decades.

Members of an anti-religious group planned to protest the display on Friday, but it was supporters who showed up in full force, causing the town to shut down a road while they chanted and sang Christmas songs.

The Michigan-based Freedom from Religion Foundation said it is targeting the city for violating the First Amendment by placing the nativity scene at City Hall.

Dom Viccari, the borough's manager, said the nativity scene that is placed outside of the municipal building on borough property will not go away.

"It’s a 50- to 60- year tradition," said Viccari.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation sent a letter to Ellwood City threatening to sue when the crèche goes up.

In the letter, the organization wrote, "It is unlawful for the state to erect this nativity scene on borough property thus singling out one religion. Our purpose is to protect the fundamental constitutional principal of separation of church and state."

Viccari said the threat of a lawsuit won't stop the borough from putting the nativity scene on display.

"They'll sue if we put it up this year. But we're going to do it," said Viccari.

Viccari said he has received dozens of letters of support from community members. One letter said, "If you don't like it, don't look at it."

Ellwood City residents said they support the borough's decision.

"This is all baloney. They've been doing this for years since I was a kid. It won't stop now," said Ernie Young.

Viccari said the borough's solicitor will fight any lawsuit that may come forward.

Last December, Canonsburg was forced to remove a manger scene from the municipal building after at Atheist resident complained. The manger returned on a stipulation that the town would also allow secular holiday displays nearby.

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