ELR Citation: ELR 20087
No(s). 23544 (D.C. Cir. Apr 10, 1970)

District court dismissal of action to enjoin construction of creche (nativity scene) on federal parkland in the Ellipse (Washington, D.C.) as part of annual Christmas pageant because plaintiffs lacked standing vacated and case remanded for trial on issue of whether impression created by presence of creche violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment. Citizens may sue to enjoin inconsistent uses of parkland held in trust by the government where activities permitted thereon threaten to destroy citizens' beneficial interests as park users.

Counsel for Appellants:
Warren K. Kaplan
1815 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20013
(202) 298-8540

Ralph J. Temple
Lawrence Speiser
1424 16th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20013
(202) 483-3830

Counsel for Appellees:
Thomas A. Flannery U.S. Attorney
Gil Zimmerman Assistant U.S. Attorney
United States Courthouse
Constitution Avenue & John Marshall Place, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20013
(202) 655-4000

Counsel for the American Jewish Congress (amicus curiae)
Joel H. Levy
1920 L Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20013
(202) 293-3860