‘It’s a 50/50 shot’: Ocala city leaders appeal judge’s ruling in prayer vigil lawsuit
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Ocala city leaders are turning a new page in history by challenging a federal judge’s decision regarding a prayer vigil ten years ago.
City council members unanimously voted to appeal Judge Timothy J. Corrigan’s ruling that the city acted unconstitutionally.
Last month, Corrigan said the Ocala Police Department’s involvement to plan the vigil and have uniformed chaplains on stage violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
Council members heard from an attorney with the American Center for Law and Justice on how to proceed, and said this could reach the Supreme Court.
“On the advice of the attorneys, they felt very confident that this would be turned at the Eleventh Circuit Court,” said Barry Mansfield, City Council President.
During their discussions, several members expressed concern on how moving forward would affect taxpayers.
If the city were to lose, attorneys say it could cost them about $500,000 to pay the plaintiffs’ attorneys fees. Attorneys estimate the cost would be less than $10 per citizen.
If they win, they don’t have to pay, with Mansfield calling it a “50/50 shot.”
Citizens showed their support during public comment, even offering to start up a GoFundMe page.
“They really want to see this go to the next step and they’re wiling to help pay for some of it if we lose,” said Mansfield. “Again, I’m going to say we’re not going to lose.”
The vigil was planned in the Downtown Square following a string of shootings late September 2014.
RELATED: Former Ocala mayor ‘disappointed’ in federal judge’s prayer vigil ruling
Police Chief Mike Balken expressed this thoughts to the council, recalling his time serving in the Ocala Police Department and working those crimes.
“I’m a person who believes there’s a lot of people waiting to see what you all do,” said Balken. “I think it is impactful to a lot of people around this country potentially depending on what happens in the courts. I think my God, some things are worth fighting for.”
Former mayor Kent Guinn told TV20 he’s happy with the decision to appeal and believes this case will go down in history.
“This will be a landmark decision that will be cited for years to come,” said Guinn. “My hope and my prayer is to walk down the front of the steps of the Supreme Court victorious when we win it.”
Atheists, represented by the American Humanist Association, filed the suit after attending the vigil.
TV20 requested a comment, but did not hear back.
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