Brewer asks court to dismiss case against Arizona Day of Prayer

Governor Jan Brewer argues state's Day of Prayer a voluntary event

PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer has filed in U.S. District Court a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought against her for commemorating an Arizona Day of Prayer. The suit was lodged by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, an out-of-state group that also has sought to block recognition of a National Day of Prayer.

“This lawsuit represents nothing more than a sad and futile attempt to stifle an American right and tradition,” said Governor Brewer. “Americans from all walks of life have been coming together in voluntary prayer since our nation’s founding. I am optimistic that the court will dismiss this organization’s baseless lawsuit.”

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a Wisconsin-based organization whose focus is to promote a strict separation of church and state, and educate the public “on matters relating to nontheism.” The group is challenging Governor Brewer over two proclamations – one that declared May 6, 2011, an Arizona Day of Prayer, and one that named Jan. 17, 2010, a Day of Prayer for Arizona’s Economy and State Budget. The Governor has pledged to fight the lawsuit, and on May 5, 2011, issued a proclamation recognizing the 60^th annual National Day of Prayer.

Governor Brewer has asked the court to dismiss the case because the plaintiffs lack standing. Just as with the National Day of Prayer, the Arizona Day of Prayer is an entirely voluntary event. Citizens are free to commemorate – or not commemorate – the occasion in whatever way they feel is appropriate. Every President since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation, and Governor’s of all 50 states issued similar proclamations in 2009.

This is not the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s first attempt to put an end to recognized days of voluntary prayer. The group previously filed suit against the federal government for its National Day of Prayer. The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals threw out that challenge.

“I’m hopeful this lawsuit will be dismissed in similar fashion,” said Governor Brewer, “and I’ll continue commemorating the right of Americans to come together in voluntary days of prayer.”